Stay The Course

DEAR FRIENDS:

This letter comes to you on behalf of concerned citizens, nature lovers and golf enthusiasts who have joined together to maintain and preserve our historic Orono Public Golf Course, founded in 1924. This initiative, aptly titled,“Stay the Course,” was formed in 2013 to generate a plan of action for the sustainability of this recreational gem which will celebrate its 100th Anniversary in 2024. The 9 hole, par 33 course is a special amenity for Orono, providing summer golf and an attractive winter park with sledding and cross-country skiing.

The Orono Public Golf Course is in jeopardy

On October 24, 2022, the Orono City Council voted unanimously to approve Resolution #7305 to seek Youth Sports grant money from Hennepin County to build a half basketball court, pickleball courts and infrastructure for an ice rink on the hillside of the golf course.

On November 1, 2022, the Orono City Council applied for the Hennepin County grant money to offset the construction costs for this project at the Orono Public Golf Course with  NO PUBLIC  INPUT. If awarded, the grant money is required to be used to build at the Orono Public Golf Course.

No other sites are under consideration

This location, which highlights pickleball, would be between the first tee, the practice putting green and the 9th green.

The project would require extensive grading, retaining walls, hardscape, fencing, lighting, expanded parking and a complete relocation of the maintenance building near the pond on Orono Orchard Road.

This project will decrease open space and increase hardcover in our city. Pickleball is a very loud sport. There will be an increase in noise and traffic. It will disrupt the natural wildlife that inhabits the course, i.e. bald eagles, egrets, herons, geese, ducks, fox, etc The serenity and peace of the historic Orono Public Golf Course would be gone forever. Orono has long been known for its open spaces and rural feeling. It is what sets Orono apart from other cities and makes us unique.

Immediate action needed

•       Attend the “Golf Course Park Enhancement” Open House hosted by the Park Commission on Tuesday, January 10th, 6-8 pm at City Hall. Check out building plans and give your feedback.

•       Request that the City of Orono pledge to protect this historic, public asset and limit projects to those that improve golf play and support quiet, low impact sports like cross country skiing and sledding.

•       Call on the Orono City Council and Parks Commission to engage ALL residents before proceeding with plans to spend taxpayer dollars on a costly multi-sport facility.

•       Challenge elected and appointed city leaders to uphold the Mission and Vision Statement of the City of Orono… including citizen involvement and preservation of natural rural beauty.

•       Go to Change.org:   Search for Orono Golf petition and please sign. Share on social media with others.