Golf course plans revealed

Renovated Fort

Ridgely would

open in 2005

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

FORT RIDGELY -- Plans for the proposed Fort Ridgely State Park Golf Course renovation were revealed at an open house Thursday night at the park chalet.

The $1.5 million project designed by Bonestroo and Associates of St. Paul could be completed by spring of 2005.

Plans call for moving hole No. 5 west of the county road, making it a par five hole and increasing course yardage by more than 200 yards to 3,070 yards.

All nine holes of the course would be adjusted and each hole would have multiple tee boxes. Hole No. 6 would be moved to the west and an irrigation pond and sand traps would be added.

Out-of-play areas would be restored with native plants. Natural areas would provide wildlife habitat, act as buffers and provide an aesthetically pleasing setting.

The end result is to create a showcase for environmentally friendly courses in sensitive areas. The course would include prairie, savanna and wetlands areas.

Native grasses, flowers and aquatic plants would be used on the edges of the course. Bent grass would be used on the course fairways.

Among the major hurdles to overcome before the project would become a reality is gaining permits to use water from the Minnesota River to irrigate the course greens, tees and fairways.

Fort Ridgely State Park Manager Mark Tjosaas said the Fort Ridgely Creek is currently used by the Mayflower Country Club and is not large enough to become a water source for the state park golf course.

Tjosaas said the water permit issue could be settled within two or three months.

Other changes include moving golf course holes away from the Fort Ridgely History Center and adding an irrigation pond to hole No. 4.

As in the past, golf carts will not be allowed on the course designed for beginner and casual golfers.

People interested in the Fort Ridgely course and other park features are encouraged to join the Friends of Fort Ridgely. Park events include the Fort Ridgely Festival the fourth weekend of June, fall and spring school day events for fifth and sixth grade students, planting moon fun night, three annual park work days and an annual dinner in November.

For more information, call the park at 507-426-7840 or the historic site at 507-426-7888.