Tulsans needed a welcoming, natural space where members of its diverse communities could come together to explore, learn and play. Gathering Place is the ultimate expression of Tulsa’s spirit of unity. A place for everyone.
After years of planning, generous donations and input from the community, the George Kaiser Family Foundation and Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc. (MVVA) transformed nearly 100 acres of Tulsa’s iconic waterfront into a dynamic, interactive environment. Situated along the Arkansas River, just two miles from downtown Tulsa, Oklahoma, Gathering Place broke ground as a world-class park. The dream of a space to celebrate and gather along the river became reality.
Today, the children, families and friends of Tulsa write the narrative, an ongoing adventure sure to inspire wonderful moments for generations to come. We are witnessing history and memories made by celebrating the collective growth experienced through Gathering Place.
A student walks through interactive sculpture at Gathering Place. Image Courtesy of Michael Van Valkenburgh Associates Inc.
About the Speakers
Matt Urbanski, Partner at MVVA
At MVVA since 1989, Matt has planned and designed waterfronts, parks, college campuses, and gardens in North America and across the world. Matt’s work is inspired by the power of landscape to affect the way people feel, and he is devoted to making landscapes that draw on the unique capacities of each site.
For 25 years, Matt taught an ecological approach to planting design at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Albright College, and also studied horticulture at Delaware Valley College of Science and Agriculture and earned a Master of Landscape Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design.
Scott Streeb, Principal at MVVA
Scott has led the schematic and conceptual design of large public projects and small gardens, always with an emphasis on engaging people through play. He is interested in inclusive play spaces that engage children and caretakers as well as landscapes that activate the imagination and bodies of users of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities. He plays a central role in MVVA’s approach to play concepts and continues to research the role of play in park design.
Scott earned a Bachelor of Landscape Architecture from Colorado State University, where he received the ASLA Honor Award. He has been a guest lecturer at Colorado State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the City University of New York, and the University of Guelph in Ontario. Scott joined MVVA in 2006.
Jeff Stava, Chief Operating Officer at George Kaiser Family Foundation
Jeff Stava helps set strategic vision for George Kaiser Family Foundation, oversees the operations and works to increase efficiency while maintaining superior service for donors and nonprofit agencies. In addition to his role as COO, he serves as the Executive Director of the Tulsa Beautification Foundation, where he works on projects including downtown revitalization, economic development, assisting neighborhood improvement projects and various beautification projects around Tulsa. He also oversees George Kaiser Family Foundation’s (GKFF) real estate portfolio and is the executive Director and Trustee for A Gathering Place for Tulsa the George Kaiser Family Foundation’s 100 acre, $400mm riverfront park development.
In 2019, Jeff was inducted into the Tulsa Hall of Fame.
Key Details
- Date: September 27, 2022
- Time: 12 p.m. to 2 p.m EST
- Location: Online on Zoom Webinar. Closed captioning will be provided.
- Type: Lunch and Learn
- Price: Free
If you have any questions or concerns or would like to request an accommodation, please email us at communications@IHCDesign.org.
This webcast is part of the IHCD International Inclusive Design Webcast Series in Memory of Eliza Forrest Kaye Bromfield. Eliza was a beloved member of the IHCD family. Through this series of public lunch & learn events that Eliza ran in her years with IHCD, we intend to honor her curiosity and enthusiasm for design that includes. We sincerely thank her loving family for their generous support of this lecture series.