The Gathering Place seems to be more or less just a playground for kids there is not much for adults in the park, many items in the park can be used by only one child at a time. The money may have been better spent by improving current parks and extending the trail system but I guess the money had to be spent on that one single park.
You're one of those naysayers, huh? The park is incredible. It is substantially nicer and on a larger scale than any city/urban park I've ever been to and we have gone out of our way to visit those kinds of parks in major cities we have visited around the US recently (including SF, LA, NYC, Dallas, Austin, Miami, etc - places like Chelsea Highline, Central Park, Klyde Warren).
Parking seems to be the biggest issue, the homes in the area expected their value to increase but with all the traffic and people home values may not go up as first thought not many home buyers want to live in traffic packed areas, so they answer by restricting parking on side streets thus making the parking issue worse.
All of those cities I listed have some great parks but nothing really comparable the Gathering Place (Some do have natural beauty advantages such as ocean beaches or urban/city views that can't be replicated, but the parks/amenities themselves don't compare). And almost all of those urban parks have parking limitations. That's part of life when you have something awesome in an area with only so much parking, especially when parking and admission is free, and still incomplete as more parking will be added in Phase 2.
The property values around the Gathering Place have already increased substantially since the park was announced, and the values have increased far more than anywhere else in the Tulsa area. Homes that were ~$250k before it was announced are now well over $500k-$650k+. Where they go next, no one knows but I know that the high prices around there seemed a lot more tempting after I experienced the park for the first time. I'm guessing they'll keep going up faster than other parts, especially as traffic settles.
Another thing that surprised me is they rebuilt Riverside with only 4 lanes, when they should of rebuilt Riverside drive with 6 lanes since sooner or latter Riverside Drive would have to be widened and those Riverside tunnels at the Gathering Place will have to torn down and rebuilt. Poor planning for the future traffic patterns.
I am glad they are treating Riverside as it should be: more of a parkway than a highway. 4 lanes and the reduced speed limit are appropriate. No, they will not be tearing down the tunnels to make it 6 lanes any time soon (not intentionally in the next 5 decades, anyways). That is a ridiculous thought.
The Gathering Place seems to be more or less just a playground for kids there is not much for adults in the park, many items in the park can be used by only one child at a time. The money may have been better spent by improving current parks and extending the trail system but I guess the money had to be spent on that one single park.
Sure lots of things there are for kids but numerous things are for both (adults can enjoy the towers and many of the things *more* for kids such as swings, merry-go-round, zip-line, etc). There is boating to come, concerts, plenty of sitting/lounge areas, the coffee shop, enjoy everything in the sensory garden, restaurants/cafes yet to get in full swing, the lodge and its view... Plenty for adults to do! Adults can also play basketball and bicycle and in general just enjoy the awe and newness of the place. Sure the kids area is incredible full of way more than any other area, but that's a great thing that will bring in more families to gather there and treasure being in Tulsa, which is a big part of the goal.