United Indians has no intention to operate any type of gambling or gaming operation at the site, nor could it legally do so, says Garner. Bob Kildall, president of Friends of Discovery Park, questions the need for such a huge lodge, which he says would be roughly 15 times bigger than the new Discovery Park visitors center, located near the main entrance. Over the years, dozens of development proposals have been put forward for Discovery Park. Unlike the city's more cultivated parks, Discovery remains a pastoral setting, a quiet place for visitors to get away from noise, cars and even people, Kildall says. But it's hard to keep that ideal, to keep it from being developed.
Discovery Park is home to eagles, herons, falcons, foxes and beavers.
In August 1981, a 100-pound, wayward cougar was discovered in the park. The story was turned into a children's book. Changes are coming to Discovery Park just as they are to the rest of Magnolia. The trick, Kildall says, is for the community to get involved.