Meeting attendees shared their thoughts on a proposal from the Olmsted Parks Conservancy for investments to close Cherokee Golf Course and revitalize it into active parkland. The cost for the city to maintain the park would be $1.3 million.
A large crowd gathered earlier this week to discuss the future of the 60-acre Cherokee Golf Course in Louisville, Ky., WDRB reported.
The course was founded in 1895, four years after famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted and the city of Louisville established Cherokee Park.
Those who attended the April 25 meeting at the golf course gave feedback on a proposal from the Olmsted Parks Conservancy for investments to close the course and revitalize it into active parkland, WDRB reported. The cost for the city to maintain the park would be $1.3 million.
“From an accessibility standpoint, it would open the park up to a greater number of people so they can utilize this land,” said Amin Omidy, vice chairman of the Olmsted Conservancy.
Many of those who frequent the golf course want it to stay.
“This one is, I think, the most important city course, maybe beside Seneca,” said Billy Kunkel, a local golfer. “I think it needs to be on the forefront of us keeping it due to its history and also how much everyone loves it.”
The city of Louisville currently has 10 municipally owned golf courses, and Cherokee is one of three nine-hole courses in the system, WDRB reported. It is operated by the parks department and doesn’t have a PGA professional or nonprofit to help.
Other golfers said it is becoming rundown and it’s time for a change.
“I think it could go to something else,” said Ben Hoertz, another local golfer. “It will make the park bigger, which will be really cool, for it’s kind of a Central Park in the city.”
Olmsted and Louisville Parks and Recreation will compile resident feedback and present it to Metro Council which will take a final vote, WDRB reported.
Due to fiscal challenges, Louisville city officials have for the last few years, tried to determine the future uses for some of its golf courses.
Tell Us What You Think!
You must be logged in to post a comment.