Developer Eyes Tulsa's Turkey Mountain For Possible Amusement Park

A developer is floating an idea to build an amusement park in Tulsa at Turkey Mountain.

The idea is called "Tulsa Harbor" and its already drawing political opposition because of the impact it would have on the wilderness in River Parks.

Turkey Mountain is one of the biggest green spaces in Tulsa - and any mention of disturbing it upsets the people who enjoy it the most - like Don and Deanna Fain.

"When I first heard that...shock. Don't like the idea at all, don't want them touching it, to be honest with you," Don Fain said.

A picture that appears to show a river front amusement park on Turkey Mountain created a lot of concern.

"The fitness community is outraged that with so many miles of river front property here in Tulsa that would be a fabulous location for an amusement park, that they would have plans to put it here," said Brian Hoover of Runner's World.

Turkey Mountain is covered with trails that are popular with hikers and mountain bikers - and it's busy even on less than perfect days.

City Councilor Jeannie Cue first heard about the amusement park idea last week - but she's already decided she's against it.

"I think there's a lot of good places on the river, but Turkey Mountain is the sacred special place for people in Tulsa and we need to keep it natural," Cue said.

The development idea for Turkey Mountain hasn't gone far and appears to be nothing more than a rough idea.

Locating it on the river would require many layers of approval which already seem unlikely. In fact, Mayor Dewey Bartlett's office said, "This is a natural wilderness area and there's a need to preserve it."

River Parks Director Matt Meyer says, "River Parks does not support the Tulsa Harbor development proposal."

Their opposition could kill any development at Turkey Mountain. They're backed by plenty of people who use River Parks who are ready to fight to save it.

City Councilor Cue is holding a town hall meeting Monday night and plans to discuss Turkey Mountain.