We need to keep Huron Hills as an open space, public golf course
I am writing on behalf of a group of friends who for more than 30 years have enjoyed the beauty of the open spaces of Huron Hills golf course.
No, we are not golfers, rather we are mothers and some of us now grandmothers from all parts of the city. We have enjoyed walking through the park on those cold fall days, after the golfers have stored their clubs for the winter, and we have taken our families, along with their sleds, snowshoes and cross-country skis and enjoyed the snowy days of winter out on the golf course.
We believe families have been left out of the equation as city council works to balance the budget. We assume that no statistics exist showing how many Ann Arborites use Huron Hills golf course for activities other than golf. We are concerned that the front 9 is being offered for private development and we wonder what this means for the back 9, (the hilly side), should it not be a profitable venture as a 9-hole course. Would City Council then offer this area for development also?
We are also concerned many Ann Arbor families are completely unaware that Huron Hills will no longer be a public area, freely accessible to them.
On behalf of all the families who already benefit from this space and for all those families who have not yet had the opportunity to know the beauty and fun that can be found there, this is a plea to city council to reconsider this decision. We would encourage Ann Arbor citizens who share our concerns to contact their city council representative and make their opinions known.
Pat Munoz Ann Arbor
Comments
carush
Wed, Nov 24, 2010 : midnight
Whether or not golf is subsidized at Huron Hills, there are several of us who depend on the convenience of Huron Hills in the winter: people regularly cross-country ski here and bring their kids here for sledding! This is valuable city parkland and greenspace, away from the heavy development on Washtenaw Avenue. The river area should STAY residential and natural. The idea of development at the intersection of Huron Parkway and the Gallup Park area is just wrong and does not fit the character of the area.
Tim Darton
Sun, Oct 31, 2010 : 9:22 a.m.
This is just silly. Write your council member, watch a Parks Commission meeting. The city is (wrongly) trying to make golf work here but there is no plan to develop the lower nine or any part of the course. It is also silly that we the taxpayers have to subsidize golf. This should become a plain old park. Put soccer on the lower nine and let the rest grow wild.