TulsaNow: Did public outcry stop development?

Turkey Mountain: What Happened?

During this past week, TulsaNow was busy on the phone with INCOG, as well as scouring the Tulsa County Tax Accessor’s office, and gathering up as much official data we could possibly get our hands on. We learned a lot, and we’d like to share it. Over the next few days, as we’re enjoying the long Labor Day weekend, we’re going to be posting some maps, arial photos, and links to planning documents that we hope you’ll be as interested in digging in to as we were. We’ll also be answering your questions: contact us, and let us know what you’re confused about.

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Tulsa World: Kaiser to Preserve

Kaiser Foundation says it will preserve its Turkey Mountain property

 

Many hikers, mountain bikers and other users of Turkey Mountain’s trail system have expressed concern that the recent announcement of a planned outlet mall at 61st Street and U.S. 75 could lead to more development along the mountain, eliminating trails and spoiling its natural beauty.

Stava said the foundation’s property, east and north of the proposed mall site, would not be developed for commercial purposes.

“It would solely be used to develop with the city of Tulsa and River Parks land,” he said.

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KOTV: Most of Turkey Mountain to be protected

George Kaiser Family Foundation Pledges To Preserve Turkey Mountain

Hundreds of people showed up Monday for a town hall meeting concerned they would lose access to the mountain. The news that Turkey Mountain is safe is sure to be a relief.

Bryan Duval, with T-Town Bicycles said, “That’s phenomenal and awesome. That would be the one acceptable solution to what everybody feared, that we would lose this chunk and then we’d lose even more of it.”

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GKFF Steps in

Great News
Update: Where things stand on Turkey Mountain vs. the outlet mall

I’d emphasize that no one I’ve talked to is against building an outlet mall. We’d just prefer to see it built somewhere else. And for the future, it would be good for all the stakeholders involved — the city, land owners, trail users, and so forth — to come up with a long-term use plan that would help us preserve the city’s lone open and wild green space.

Turkey Mountain is a special place, a unique facet to the city of Tulsa. Large numbers of people get outside, get healthy and spend time with their families out here. Tulsa has fine parks, but this is one of those rare places within the city limits where you can get outside and be in a truly natural setting. If we lose it, it’s never coming back.

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KTUL: A City divided

Turkey Mountain Pink Trails Soon A Mall?

“We’re going to lose a great thing in Tulsa. This is a great area. Lots of trails, lots of shade.  You can’t do this,” says Machelle Moody, park user.

One one side supporters of developing the area and  on the other side users of the urban wilderness who want the green space untouched.

“I believe it’s private property you have a right to do with it what you want. I don’t want anyone infringing on me and my property telling me what I can and can’t do with it.” Marsha Ray is a homeowner.

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