A Gathering Place for Tulsa is the brainchild of Tulsa businessman and philanthropist George Kaiser.

Organizers had a shovel with his name on it, but the famously private man never showed up. At least no one saw him.

But Gov. Mary Fallin and other dignitaries who spoke at the noon groundbreaking ceremony made sure the moment did not pass without recognizing him.

“I just personally as the governor of Oklahoma want to say how grateful I am that George Kaiser loves the state of Oklahoma, loves Tulsa, loves our children, loves our people,” Fallin said.

Ken Levit, George Kaiser Family Foundation executive director, reminded visitors that the foundation’s work is to help ensure equal opportunity for all children.

Beyond the great features of the park and its potential economic impact on the community, Levit said, the park is intended to be a place that will better children’s lives.

“We are really striving for the countless small learning interactions that each individual child will seek out with his or her parent,” Levit said.