Mayor G.T. Bynum, Tulsa River Parks and the George Kaiser Family Foundation (GKFF) said today that the future of Turkey Mountain and the River Parks System will be preserved for decades to come.
“In one of the most important preservation initiatives in the City's history, the City of Tulsa and Tulsa River Parks agreed to a 50-year master lease agreement that will preserve River Parks trails and park system ensuring the land is there for the enjoyment of future generations of Tulsans.” Mayor G.T. Bynum said.
As part of the agreement, the City will donate their land on Turkey Mountain to protect the area as a place of urban wilderness. Simultaneously, the George Kaiser Family Foundation will donate the land they own on Turkey Mountain to River Parks. (Map)
“This is a day we have looked forward to since the George Kaiser Family Foundation began acquiring land for the benefit of Turkey Mountain way back in 2007,” GKFF Board of Directors Phil Frohlich said. “We are excited to help preserve Turkey Mountain for Tulsans to enjoy today and for future generations to come.”
“Consolidating all of our various leases with the City into one document gives stability to the land and to River Parks Authority operations while preserving the land in its natural state,” Matt Meyer, River Parks Executive Director said. “It’s great to have a City Administration that understands the true value of green space and the quality of life that River Parks brings to the greater Tulsa community.”
Bynum added, “As we begin to make major public investments in the Arkansas River corridor and open a major private investment in The Gathering Place, all Tulsans can have the reassurance that the beauty of River Parks and Turkey Mountain are here to stay.”
The agreement will require Tulsa City Council and Tulsa River Parks Authority approval. Pending the approval of the agreement and deeding of land, River Parks plans to begin the process of developing the Turkey Mountain Master Plan, paid for by a generous donation from GKFF.
The master plan will strategically guide both public and private investments in making Turkey Mountain an even stronger asset to Tulsa while maintaining strategic areas of economic development along the west bank of the Arkansas River.
About River Parks
Spread along miles of the Arkansas River, as it flows through Tulsa, River Parks provides some of the metropolitan area's finest outdoor recreation. More than 26 miles of asphalt-surfaced recreation trails weave past picnic areas, playgrounds, fountains and sculptures. The park's landscape ranges from manicured lawns to the rugged terrain of the Turkey Mountain Urban Wilderness Area. Recreation in River Parks includes fishing, rowing, rollerblading, kayaking, disc golf, hiking, cycling and horseback riding.
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