Tulsa Harbour

[AquaMan]

Well, surprise, surprise. An area that is attractive to one set of Tulsans, is also attractive to a developer who wishes to capitalize on that attractiveness.

My first thought was, yeah well, they should understand the track record of dealing with River Parks Authority. Then I read this post,

"POSSIBLE GREAT NEWS ! A good friend of ours talked with developer Tony Lombardi. Tatur Racing was informed that they are no longer interested in developing Turkey Mtn. Our source stated that Tony Lombardi said that River Parks makes the process difficult and that Kaiser was not interested in developing Turkey Mtn !! Kudos to River Parks Authority Tulsa and Kaiser !!

We were told that they are now looking at areas towards Jenks or Sand Springs. I don't think that we can or should, let our guard down, but we may be in the clear.......for this month !!"

Then I read the other link which notes the developers are only interested in the SW portion of the Southernmost end of the Turkey mtn trails. That is the area between the 71st street bridge and the end of the trails. That is a totally different picture than carving up Turkey Mountain for an amusement park. That actually isn't such a bad idea.

[SXSW]

Turkey Mtn is one of my favorite places in Tulsa.  Most cities, especially in this part of the country, would kill to have something similar in the city limits.

[Conan71]

Then I read the other link which notes the developers are only interested in the SW portion of the Southernmost end of the Turkey mtn trails. That is the area between the 71st street bridge and the end of the trails. That is a totally different picture than carving up Turkey Mountain for an amusement park. That actually isn't such a bad idea.

But as we know from political discussion a little hyperbole mixed with misinformation is the best way to create fear and opposition.

Turkey Mtn is one of my favorite places in Tulsa.  Most cities, especially in this part of the country, would kill to have something similar in the city limits.

The trails at Chandler Park are pretty cool as well, but fairly spooky because there's rarely anyone else out there on the trail section.

[dsjeffries]

But as we know from political discussion a little hyperbole mixed with misinformation is the best way to create fear and opposition.

Right, and if we had more information, rather than an unconfirmed post here and there, it'd be a lot easier to judge the project. But there's no website or any kind of documentation other than personal conversations and a rendering.

[AquaMan]

I feel like I should make a justice league of america joke. 

Silly children. There is no justice league. Totally made up. Really. We aren't behind this development either.

Seriously, it isn't the first time an amusement park has been suggested around Zink or somewhere along the river. I don't think its the location that is important as it is the economics behind an amusement park anywhere. If they could get the land donated well, maybe. But building one along the side of a mountain is difficult for plains people.

They would have better luck attracting support if the the Jenks dam was already built and water backed up to that area. Even then....

A much better spot would have been the old Hissom site. Easy access, flat, water usually in that portion of the river and a supportive city nearby. It would draw from all over the region. Too late. It is now industrial.

[DTowner]

Without details and firm commitments on financing, add this to the long list of grandiose Tulsa area development projects that consist of little more than a press release and a rough drawing capturing someone's fantasy.

[Red Arrow]

Turkey Mountain needs to be left the way it is.  I always remembered it as a landmark when I'd fly back in to RVS.

It's probably a developer from Jenks wanting to get rid of the airport.  The more stuff they can put under the pattern, the easier it will be to claim the airport is too noisy.

 

[dsjeffries]

Without details and firm commitments on financing, add this to the long list of grandiose Tulsa area development projects that consist of little more than a press release and a rough drawing capturing someone's fantasy.

...Not even a press release.

But the Tulsa World did pick up the story.

http://www.tulsaworld.com/news/article.aspx?subjectid=334&articleid=20120220_334_0_MayorD4143

[Conan71]

Without details and firm commitments on financing, add this to the long list of grandiose Tulsa area development projects that consist of little more than a press release and a rough drawing capturing someone's fantasy.

I suspect this is like the fully-enclosed NASCAR track up near Vinita that was supposedly under development about 10-15 years ago.

[Weatherdemon]

I've driven up Turkey Mountian a few times with my kids recently and if they want it to be a 'park' or 'natural' or whatever they're calling it, they need to move all the freaking rocks that block the parking lot. People on Saturdays are parking on those windy roads to the west and walking over to the trails while a big ole parking lot sits empty.

These images show the park by the river and the tracks, not on the Mountain so I'm not sure what the issue is.
I haven't been hiking there in 25 years but I don't recall any trails down to the river. You had to make your own and it you could get yourself in some precarious situations if you weren't careful.

So, parking is blocked off at the top yet they reference the location as if it is at the top and say they don't want to ruin the natural wildlife of the the mountain even though the park is down along with river?

I'm confused. Sounds like the City just doesn't want these people doing it.

On the other hand, can it really not be done along the west bank?

[AquaMan]

They could. The city has planned to move Public Works and that land would be a good fit. And, the cement plant land would be good although expensive. The repairs and improvements to the Zink dam will mean deeper water for longer periods. The new Whitewater below the dam would argue for the Public Works site being the best location right now. Of course the same complaints will abound about not spoiling park lands, paths and natural beauty, only add in noise pollution and traffic congestion. It is a little surprising to see how much opposition is forming for a plan with so few details. Its a wonder anyone bothers to propose river developments with all the hostility they seem to engender. Runners, bikers, hikers...chill. Those lands are not exclusively for your usage.

25 years is a long time. You should ride the trails and see for yourself how they have changed. I have ridden the paved one that runs along the lower part of the mountain along the railroad tracks. I love it. Someday I'll do the others. I can't imagine why people are not parking in the lots. Are the entryways too narrow?

[carltonplace]

25 years is a long time. You should ride the trails and see for yourself how they have changed. I have ridden the paved one that runs along the lower part of the mountain along the railroad tracks. I love it. Someday I'll do the others. I can't imagine why people are not parking in the lots. Are the entryways too narrow?

The descent from Turkey Mountain to the river is almost like a roller coaster on a bike...what a blast.

The parking lot is blocked by...well, blocks of rocks.

[jacobi]

The descent from Turkey Mountain to the river is almost like a roller coaster on a bike...what a blast.

so true.

[AquaMan]

Yes, it scared the beJesus uh, Santorum out of me the first time I did it downhill. Going up hill is a good workout.

But, why are the parking lots blocked with rocks? Is River Parks afraid too many people might use the area?

[dsjeffries]

Yes, it scared the beJesus uh, Santorum out of me the first time I did it downhill. Going up hill is a good workout.

But, why are the parking lots blocked with rocks? Is River Parks afraid too many people might use the area?

The old lot at where Elwood curves to the northwest is closed, and that may be the lot you're talking about... but the new lot closer to 71st is open and is quite nice, actually.

From the Riverparks website:

Thanks to a generous grant from the [George] Kaiser [Family] Foundation, Turkey Mountain has an all-new restroom facility and parking lot. The parking lot has equestrian parking, along with handicapped and regular parking for approximately 70 vehicles.

Seems plenty big enough to me.