We felt the need to mark the passing of a friend today. To echo the words of former Mayor Terry Young
“In 1977, at the urging of Tulsa Tribune editor John Drummond, I initiated the effort to acquire Turkey Mountain to preserve and designate as an urban wilderness park. The effort would not have been successful if it had not been for Chris Delaporte, former state parks director. Chris was serving as President Carter’s head of the Bureau of Outdoor Recreation and approved a federal grant to match our local county money.”
Over the decades Chris has kept a watchful eye on Turkey Mountain from a distance. Each time a threat of development would emerge he would be in contact with friends here in Tulsa helping us to brain storm on the best ways to meet this challenge. Chris has been a long time friend to parks and wild spaces and his voice will be sorely missed.
Chris was the head of Baltimore’s Parks & Recreation department and was a noted and respected advocate for public space and outdoor recreation. He died recently of cancer.
To read more of this native Oklahoman’s life and legacy please visit his obituary in the Baltimore Sun
Tags: #City of Tulsa #Greenspace Preservation #Public Outcry #Tulsa Urban Wilderness Coalition #Turkey Mountain #TUWC
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