Tuesday, September 26, 2023
I’m not a golfer. I don’t really care if Port Townsend has a golf course.
However, I do care very much about the estuary and open space that the PT golf course has and …
This item is available in full to subscribers.
We have recently launched a new and improved website. To continue reading, you will need to either log into your subscriber account, or purchase a new subscription.
If you had an active account on our previous website, then you have an account here. Simply reset your password to regain access to your account.
If you did not have an account on our previous website, but are a current print subscriber, click here to set up your website account.
Otherwise, click here to view your options for subscribing.
* Having trouble? Call our circulation department at 360-385-2900, or email our support.
Please log in to continue |
|
I’m not a golfer. I don’t really care if Port Townsend has a golf course.
However, I do care very much about the estuary and open space that the PT golf course has and protects.
The city should not sell the land. Rather, it should increase public access so that all of us can appreciate the open space and the wildlife that lives there.
Selling the land is short-sighted. Our long term goal should be using our public lands for all us, including golfers and the birds and other wildlife, who already use it, to ensure PT remains livable, now and into the future. Thank you.
Mary Radcliffe
PORT TOWNSEND
6 comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here
jconley
Mary, I agree wholeheartedly. I am also not a golfer, and don't intend to become one. I value the golf course for the fact that is is a large tract of open space nearly in the center of Port Townsend proper. Imagine New York City without a Central Park. I know that's not a great comparison, due to the immense difference of scale, but I think it points to the importance of having open space in the center of any city, no matter the size. We all know that housing is a critical issue in Port Townsend, but turning the golf course into housing is not the answer. There is plenty of land in Port Townsend for infill building, including large tracts just to the South of San Juan Avenue, adjacent to the golf course. Build housing there, and give the new residents access to open space across the street! Whether it continues as a golf course or becomes a park (or some combination), the current golf course lands should not be sold or developed for housing. What happens here will also affect what remains of the Kah Tai lagoon, as Mary says, and not in a positive way. I am 100% for more housing, and more public dollars spent for housing, in Port Townsend, but not in this location. If we lose it, we will never see it's like again within City limits.
John Conley
Wednesday, October 26, 2022 Report this
CodexSeraphinianus
A good idea would be to create yet more homeless living units. And also a good possibility would be to consider assisting the current immigration crisis and make living spaces to invite more diversity. How great would it be if we could set the example as a community to prove how inclusive and welcoming we are here! We could live up to the signs that many of us place in our yards welcoming others!
Sure there are a few good suggestions already but these might be even better. Let’s put ourselves aside and start thinking about we can really do for others besides just posting yard signs or deciding to add to one of the many parks we already have.
Thursday, October 27, 2022 Report this
Snowball_InHawaii
Codex - I agree that the golf course would be a great area for emergency housing. But we have all noticed the increased (and increasing) traffic and other unpleasantness due to more homes being built in and around Port Townsend - just like everywhere else in the PNW. Once the golf course and any other open lands are developed, there is no undoing the damage. Imagine if the Salish Sea were land instead of water - it would be nothing but miles of development by now.
"Progress" is inevitable, but that doesn't always mean it is for the better.
Thursday, October 27, 2022 Report this
Justin Hale
I'd prefer low-cost housing for the working poor. There are a lot of people who work in the service industries in P.T. who cannot afford to live in P.T. The last thing this country needs are more illegals coming into our country.
Friday, October 28, 2022 Report this
greggk47
I like the open space. Converting it already has involved hiring a full time position over Parks and a commissioned study by the National Golf Foundation that recommends spending a million in improvements. To talk about the change we'll get landscape architects, planners, Golf Course consultants and a civil engineering firm. It's not worth letting the city get involved to improve things. I 'm not unsympathetic to affordable housing but that is already being invested in and oh yah that Cherry Street project has been abandoned. As for the homeless the city has welcomed them but has no plan beyond the welcome.
Saturday, October 29, 2022 Report this
Dcc
Not sure what the golf course has to do with "illegals" coming into the country, but I agree that if anything does get built there, that it should be used for people who work here. The homeless population already has land near the mill. and it seems that maintaining that, as well as the former site at the fair grounds, is an ongoing challenge. I would like to see it remain an open green space if at all possible though.
Monday, October 31, 2022 Report this