FAIRFAX, Minn. (AP) - A yearlong effort to save the golf course at Fort Ridgely State Park has shifted to the Legislature, where at least one lawmaker has concerns.
The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said last spring that it could no longer afford to operate the course in Fairfax, Minnesota Public Radio News (https://bit.ly/2oUzglv ) reported. The department planned to cover the course with native vegetation, upgrade camping facilities and highlight the park’s horseback riding.
City administrator Marcia Siebert-Volz said the course is a tourism draw and important to Fairfax’s vitality. She said people are concerned the park would wither without the golf course.
“We’re afraid because they’ve already cut back on maintenance issues in the park,” she said. “We don’t want that to occur where it’s just a huge wayside rest.”
Last year, the state Department of Natural Resources continued with closure plans, stripping mentions of golf from park signs and hammering stakes into the ground where sprinkler heads would be dug up.
A local group of course supporters has since partnered with the city of Fairfax to take over the golf course. A fundraising campaign has generated about $70,000 in pledges so far.
Republican Rep. Tim Miller and other lawmakers have advanced bills that would force the department to negotiate with the city a low-cost lease, an alcohol license and other accommodations. Negotiations over a five-year plan to keep the course open began shortly after the issue wound up in budget bills vital to the department’s operations.
“By no means do we want to strong-arm the DNR. I believe we needed to kind of show them we were serious.” Miller said.
But Democrat Sen. Kari Dziedzic has raised concerns about whether a Fort Ridgely deal would be consistent with an operating agreement that Minneapolis has to run the Fort Snelling Golf Course.
Sixteen percent of Fort Snelling’s gross sales go back to the state on top of an annual lease fee, according to the department. For Fort Ridgely, it’s likely to be less because legislation would cap the state’s cut to 8 percent of greens fees and make clear a state park pass isn’t required to play.
The department hasn’t commented on negotiations for Fort Ridgely other than saying no contract is final. A deal with the department could be signed as soon as next week.
___
Information from: Minnesota Public Radio News, https://www.mprnews.org
Please read our comment policy before commenting.