A Gathering Place will cover 100 acres along the Arkansas River in Tulsa.
Photos by Shane Bevel Photography.
Official Press Release (June 8, 2018)
TULSA, Okla. – Gathering Place announces it officially opens on Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, kicking off with 100 Days of Opening Celebration festivities.
A riverfront public park designed to be a place for all Tulsans from all walks of life to enjoy together, Gathering Place’s initial 100 Days of Opening Celebration will provide dynamic, culturally relevant programming activities for the entire community. These one-of-a-kind events and activities include an opening day performance by legendary hip-hop/neo soul band The Roots.
“Gathering Place is a world-class destination that will offer a place for all to come together,” said Tony Moore, Park Director. “Our 100 Days Opening Celebration will offer a diverse array of acts and events giving every guest an opportunity to celebrate the opening of the park every single day. This will truly be an experience like none other.”
The first phase of Gathering Place spans 66.5 acres and offers entertainment for all ages; transforming the community and adding to the regional appeal of Tulsa as a destination city. The park’s many activities include children’s programming at H.A. & Mary K. Chapman Adventure Playground, athletic engagement at the Skate and Bike Parks and the SemGroup Sports Courts and kayak, canoe and paddle boat rentals available at the ONEOK Boathouse to tour Peggy’s Pond. Additional features include the QuikTrip Great Lawn, which will host concerts and events along with the Williams Lodge, where guests can enjoy food, drinks and a lounge area to relax.
At $465 million, Gathering Place represents the largest private gift to a public park in U.S. history. Gifted to the River Parks Authority by the George Kaiser Family Foundation, numerous corporate and community philanthropists have contributed to support the park, exemplifying the Tulsa community’s spirit of inclusivity and giving.
“The anticipation leading up to the opening of Gathering Place has been incredible to witness,” said Jeff Stava, Executive Director and Trustee of Gathering Place. “This project has been years in the making and we are truly astounded by the generosity of the Tulsa community in this endeavor. When Gathering Place opens on Sept. 8, it is going to be a central place for Tulsa citizens and visitors alike to gather and enjoy for years to come.”
About Gathering Place
A project of George Kaiser Family Foundation, Gathering Place, with a first phase of 66.5 acres, will ultimately transform nearly 100 acres of Tulsa’s waterfront along the Arkansas River into a dynamic and active space when the project is completed. A public-private partnership, GKFF and numerous corporate and community philanthropists gave ownership of the $465 million park to River Parks Authority who in turn signed a long-term operational and management lease back to an entity of the foundation to ensure the highest quality operation, maintenance and programming for the life of the park.
Gathering Place for Tulsa is doing business as Tulsa’s Gathering Place, LLC. To learn more about the project, visit www.gatheringplace.org.
