While the Gathering Place has stolen the headlines and attracted the most Tulsa, Oklahoma visitors in recent years, Tulsa natives know that just a mile down Riverside Drive is the original waterfront gathering place for Tulsans in pursuit of recreation.
The River Parks 41st Street Plaza, commonly known as Riverside Park, has long been a popular stop for trail-goers, disc golfers, and families looking for playgrounds to explore. In pursuit of Tulsa’s best splash pads for toddlers, I took my son Jordan there this week and it was an immediate winner.
I hadn’t been to this park in many years since back when I was an avid disc golfer and I never paid much attention to the playground or children’s amenities back then. So it was a pleasant surprise to see that this is one of the better parks in Tulsa for littles!
A Splash Pad Built for Cautious Little Ones
Not only is the majority of the playground shaded by the mature ash tree it was carefully planned around, but all of the splash pad features are very shallow with only one area that sprays significantly.
My 23-month-old toddler is still struggling to interact with anything unpredictable or chaotic so most splash pads in the Tulsa area have been too much for him, but he absolutely thrived here. Not only is the water shallow, but there are no true “sprayers,” only low-flow fountains that a child can comfortably interact with without getting sprayed in the face.
The water features generally run May through September, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with brief shutdowns here and there for treatment.
The Playground and the Sound Garden
The playground is a mixed bag. I’m not a big fan of the Kompan playground equipment they have for the big kids—it’s all so weird looking and I’m not even sure what you’re supposed to do with half of it—but the toddler playground was fine enough, the splash pad was the highlight, and the sound garden was a fun addition too.
While many sensory gardens around town have had the mallets stolen or removed, almost all of these were still attached and there were numerous flower-petal drums for the kids to share.
The entirety of the playground and splash pad area sits west of the River Parks Trail, which is one of its few downsides. Although they are expected to slow down and yield to pedestrians, the bicyclists on the trail frequently zoom through at a high rate of speed, meaning you need to be on your toes while crossing it to ensure your kids don’t dart out in front of one.
Fortunately there are large artificial turf berms and one grassy area that partly separate the trail from the playground to slow any eloping kids. The berms also serve as comfortable, elevated seating for parents to keep an eye on their kids while they play. Unfortunately the sound garden is right up against the trail, with the parking lot right on the other side, so if you have a toddler you do have to be cautious there.
What to Know Before You Go to 41st Street Plaza
Parking is the catch. The lot is small for how popular this place gets. If there are no spots, and there frequently aren’t, you’re pretty much out of luck. You can circle till one opens up or maybe just head on up to Gathering Place and try again another day.
Beyond the playground and splash pad, you’ll find picnic tables, restrooms, and a river overlook. Surrounding the plaza is Tulsa’s first permanent disc golf course, established in 1979 and a co-host of the 1985 World Championship. I logged a lot of rounds out there back in my disc golf days. The first tee is just south of the parking lot. The front nine plays south of the plaza while the back nine is on the north side with a short walk separating holes 9 and 10.
The Ice Cream Man Finally Got Us
To top off an excellent park experience, I finally caved and revealed the truth to Jordan about the ice cream man. He has long been intrigued by the musical vans that drive by from time to time. This week he finally learned about the delicious treats inside and enjoyed his first push pop.
He went running for the van just so he could dance to the music and I knew I would have to get him some ice cream once he saw the other kids with it. After coating himself in sticky melted ice cream, he spent the rest of the evening singing “bye bye ice cream truck” long after it had left, and even in his crib that night before falling asleep.
Pray for my wallet this summer.
Frequently Asked Questions About River Parks 41st Street Plaza
Where is 41st Street Plaza in Tulsa?
The plaza sits on the east bank of the Arkansas River along Riverside Drive near 41st Street, just south of the Gathering Place.
When does the splash pad run?
The water features generally operate from May through September, about 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., with short, periodic shutdowns for water treatment.
Can you reserve the pavilion or picnic areas?
No. The plaza operates first-come, first-served, and the covered pavilion and picnic areas cannot be reserved.
Is 41st Street Plaza good for toddlers?
Yes. The splash pad features are shallow with only one area that sprays with much force, and a separate toddler playground plus heavy tree shade make it manageable for younger kids. This is one of the best parks in Tulsa for little kids.
