Park Budget Plan Raises Golf Fees, Taxes

The following article by Steve Brandt was published in the October 23, 2015 issue of the Star Tribune.

Park Budget Plan Raises Golf Fees, Taxes

Golfers walked the course near the edge of Pond E at Hiawatha Golf Course at the end of September. The proposed 2016 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board budget would raise the cost of golf at six courses, including Hiawatha.

Photo by Aaron LavinskyGolfers walked the course near the edge of Pond E at Hiawatha Golf Course at the end of September. The proposed 2016 Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board budget would raise the cost of golf at six courses, including Hiawatha.

Minneapolis parks Superintendent Jayne Miller has proposed a 2016 budget that seeks 4.4 percent more in property taxes, raises the cost of golf at six courses and plants fewer young trees to prune more of those already planted.

The cost of a round of golf would rise the most at Gross, up $1 to $4 per round. Park officials call it a premier course. The proposed fee increase ranges from $1 to $3 per round at Columbia, $1-2 at Wirth’s 18-hole course and $1 at its nine-hole course, $1 to $2 at the nine holes at Hiawatha, and $1 at Fort Snelling.

Golfers would not see increases for all rounds; the bigger jumps would be paid by those who play after 4 p.m.

To continue reading, click on the link to the Star Tribune

Minneapolis park budget would raise golf fees – Star Tribune