Parks By Deborah Laker
Tulsa is home to parks, trailways and green spaces with myriad uses for recreation by its citizens.
River Parks Along the Arkansas River are 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced trails, perfect for pedestrians and cyclists. River Parks has varied landscapes from the manicured lawns by the water to the rocky terrain of Turkey Mountain. One of the trails runs through the western perimeter of Gathering Place linking the two parks.
River Parks
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Fishing, rowing and kayaking are some of the other activities available on the river itself. Zink Lake, a pool created by the low water dam at East 29th Street and Riverside Drive is a popular spot for water sports as well as catching catfish and striped bass during the summer. Places to eat along the banks of the Arkansas River include the Sand Bar restaurant and Yard Bar outdoor cafe. The hundreds of acres that make up River Parks are reserved for wildlife habitation and land preservation. Multiple wildlife sculptures dot the area, along with playgrounds and fountains. riverparks.org
Gathering Place Opened in September 2018, Gathering Place is Tulsa’s $465 million riverfront park. In the park’s 70 acres, guests can traverse the Chapman Adventure Playground to find towers, slides, climbing features and numerous play gardens. The park’s iconic Boathouse is the site of the Cabinet of Wonder, a dizzying collection of inquisitive items and thought-provoking displays. Grab a seat on the east-facing deck to catch a view of Peggy’s Pond and all the park’s activities. Sit with an ice cream inside the Williams Lodge. A robust calendar of events includes everything from children’s storytime under the trees to cultural celebrations and seasonal festivals.
MICHELLE POLLARD
With smoothly paved, winding paths it is no surprise that River Parks hosts multiple running and cycling races. Other outdoor events include
concerts, festivals and fireworks shows, such as the Folds of Honor FreedomFest, Tulsa’s July 4th celebration, and Linde Oktoberfest.
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