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Any recent updates on the City Park master plan situation?
Posted on 1/26/26 at 10:57 am
Posted on 1/26/26 at 10:57 am
I've heard rumblings that BREC is planning on moving forward with a renovation to city park that will shrink the 9 holes into the land above the natural levee which would turn it into a pitch-and-putt after all, but I admit could be a bit of a game of telephone scenario.
Back in October, the board voted against letting Baton Rouge Area Foundation (and probably Envision City Park/Baton Rouge by proxy) handle the master plan of the park moving forward. Thread here. This was seen as a win for the golf community.
Anyone in the know have any more details about the most recent activity on that front?
edit: I did just see in this Advocate article from late November that a new committee was formed to lead the project that includes commissioners Gordon and Stages, the BREC superintendent, the chair of BREC’s Selection of Professionals Committee and the head of BREC golf, and one representative each from the LSU Foundation, BREC Foundation, Knock Knock Children’s Museum, BRAF, Baton Rouge Gallery and Mayor-President Sid Edwards.
Back in October, the board voted against letting Baton Rouge Area Foundation (and probably Envision City Park/Baton Rouge by proxy) handle the master plan of the park moving forward. Thread here. This was seen as a win for the golf community.
Anyone in the know have any more details about the most recent activity on that front?
edit: I did just see in this Advocate article from late November that a new committee was formed to lead the project that includes commissioners Gordon and Stages, the BREC superintendent, the chair of BREC’s Selection of Professionals Committee and the head of BREC golf, and one representative each from the LSU Foundation, BREC Foundation, Knock Knock Children’s Museum, BRAF, Baton Rouge Gallery and Mayor-President Sid Edwards.
This post was edited on 1/26/26 at 12:43 pm
5
Posted on 1/26/26 at 12:30 pm to 904
I go back and forth. I think it is perfect the way it is, because it serves as a cheap course that's easy for beginner golfers. But I would also love to re-work the greens and make them like Metairie's greens. Go in with some template greens that could really make a somewhat short course play a lot more fun for the more experienced golfer.
Posted on 1/26/26 at 12:39 pm to The Johnny Lawrence
quote:
I go back and forth. I think it is perfect the way it is, because it serves as a cheap course that's easy for beginner golfers. But I would also love to re-work the greens and make them like Metairie's greens. Go in with some template greens that could really make a somewhat short course play a lot more fun for the more experienced golfer.
That would be amazing. Unfortunately, it seems like the options aren't between keeping the course generally as it is vs. making it more dynamic. It sounds like it's between keeping the current course footprint vs. shrinking it down to half the playable area thus turning it into a pitch and putt.
Posted on 1/26/26 at 3:36 pm to 904
What would the rest of the course be used for?
Posted on 1/26/26 at 4:04 pm to Bawpaw
quote:
What would the rest of the course be used for?
I'd imagine whatever the BREC Commission approves from the master plan that the hired private design firm, Sasaki Associates, creates. Different organization, but if they go with some of Envision Baton Rouge's ideas... an amphitheatre, boat house, gardens, shops, etc. etc...
And while a bummer to lose the traditional City Park course, all of that would be more digestible if the LSU golf course wasn't in such disrepair/closing and there were other options for golf besides just Webb in Baton Rouge proper.
This post was edited on 1/26/26 at 4:13 pm
Posted on 1/26/26 at 4:55 pm to 904
I wholeheartedly agree. Boat house? To kayak around a cesspool lake? Amphitheater? Perfect area behind CP/BR Art Gallery for that. Shops? There’s plenty just down Perkins. This will be a huge miss for BR area golfers and LSU students.
Posted on 1/26/26 at 6:15 pm to Bawpaw
To be fair, the lakes are going to be a big improvement once it's all said and done. City Park Lake and the majority of University Lake are several feet deeper than they were before which will limit vegetation growth and improve water quality, and will be connected and accessible by small boats after the land is removed and the May Street Bridge is built. I'm pretty excited about that project personally.
I say all that with the firm belief that City Park as it currently exists serves an important role in the golf community thanks to its current playability, proximity, and walkability, and replacing it with a pitch-&-putt isn't a solution. It's as short yardage-wise as it can get and still fill the role, and anyone who plays public golf in BR on a regular basis knows this.
Unfortunately, the Varsity woman Jenni Peters, and some of her Envision City Park/Baton Rouge acquaintances, don't care to understand local golfers' needs and simply point to the less-walkable courses that are a 30 minute drive away as evidence that there is sufficient golf in Baton Rouge. If I have to add an extra hour to my round trip and now an already packed Webb is often too busy to play thanks to the limited options, that means no golf on weekdays after work, and less opportunity on weekends as well for myself, all the thousands of university students, and many others in the area as well.
I say all that with the firm belief that City Park as it currently exists serves an important role in the golf community thanks to its current playability, proximity, and walkability, and replacing it with a pitch-&-putt isn't a solution. It's as short yardage-wise as it can get and still fill the role, and anyone who plays public golf in BR on a regular basis knows this.
Unfortunately, the Varsity woman Jenni Peters, and some of her Envision City Park/Baton Rouge acquaintances, don't care to understand local golfers' needs and simply point to the less-walkable courses that are a 30 minute drive away as evidence that there is sufficient golf in Baton Rouge. If I have to add an extra hour to my round trip and now an already packed Webb is often too busy to play thanks to the limited options, that means no golf on weekdays after work, and less opportunity on weekends as well for myself, all the thousands of university students, and many others in the area as well.
This post was edited on 1/26/26 at 6:35 pm
Posted on 1/26/26 at 9:42 pm to 904
Yep. I will disagree that the lakes project will be a major blunder though.
How she has any pull or what she wants matters befuddles me. You own a running shoe store. The lakes have all the running any sane person could ever want. She needs to be muzzled.
How she has any pull or what she wants matters befuddles me. You own a running shoe store. The lakes have all the running any sane person could ever want. She needs to be muzzled.
Posted on 1/26/26 at 10:44 pm to Bawpaw
quote:
How she has any pull or what she wants matters befuddles me. You own a running shoe store. The lakes have all the running any sane person could ever want. She needs to be muzzled.
I can admit that she has both done a lot of good for the community outside of her shop, but is also very misguided about City Park and the Baton Rouge golf scene specifically. I'm a runner as well, just not affiliated with her running club.
City Park is something she and her associates have been trying to influence, control, and replace for decades now, and their disdain of BREC and the golfers in town has grown to unreasonable levels because of it. I think they've realized their best chance is through backchannels via organizations and influential decision-makers, most likely through BRAF, but that's a bit of speculation.
Posted on 1/27/26 at 8:36 am to 904
That isn't speculation, It is absolutely how Jenni Peters is working, in conjunction with Rolfe McCollister and others who want to turn historic City Park into an amusement park.
Posted on 1/27/26 at 8:47 am to 904
On February 4, 2026, commencing at 1pm at BRAF offices downtown there will be a stakeholder meeting .
Agenda:
1:00pm: Brainstorming with Stakeholder Focus Groups (50 mins each w/10 min break between)
Economic Development (1pm)
Maintenance, Environment, & Infrastructure (2pm)
Arts & Culture (3pm)
Adjacent Community Interests (4pm)
Recreational Interests (5pm)
6:00pm: Adjourn
Interestingly BREC spent $400,000 for a 10 year master plan for the park system in 2025 before the new commissioners were chosen via new legislation by the legislature.
Here's link regarding the Imagine your parks plan and expenditure that appeared in 225.
LINK
The new commissioners voted $600,000 this year for a new Master Plan for Historic City Park Golf Course and City Brooks Community Park and the Lakes Project .
Friends of City Park Baton Rouge has spearheaded efforts to not only preserve the integrity of Historic City Park Golf Course, which had over 26,000 rounds of golf and approximately $440,000 revenue in 2024 (with 2025 projections to be higher) but also with the 100 year anniversary of the course in 2028 to advocate for BREC to invest in redoing (not patching) city park course but also investing in the existing BREC courses to make them destination courses attracting tourism and the accompanying economic and cultural benefits.
You can join Friends of City Park Baton Rouge for free to keep abreast of this ongoing concern at:
LINK
Agenda:
1:00pm: Brainstorming with Stakeholder Focus Groups (50 mins each w/10 min break between)
Economic Development (1pm)
Maintenance, Environment, & Infrastructure (2pm)
Arts & Culture (3pm)
Adjacent Community Interests (4pm)
Recreational Interests (5pm)
6:00pm: Adjourn
Interestingly BREC spent $400,000 for a 10 year master plan for the park system in 2025 before the new commissioners were chosen via new legislation by the legislature.
Here's link regarding the Imagine your parks plan and expenditure that appeared in 225.
LINK
The new commissioners voted $600,000 this year for a new Master Plan for Historic City Park Golf Course and City Brooks Community Park and the Lakes Project .
Friends of City Park Baton Rouge has spearheaded efforts to not only preserve the integrity of Historic City Park Golf Course, which had over 26,000 rounds of golf and approximately $440,000 revenue in 2024 (with 2025 projections to be higher) but also with the 100 year anniversary of the course in 2028 to advocate for BREC to invest in redoing (not patching) city park course but also investing in the existing BREC courses to make them destination courses attracting tourism and the accompanying economic and cultural benefits.
You can join Friends of City Park Baton Rouge for free to keep abreast of this ongoing concern at:
LINK
Posted on 1/27/26 at 10:40 am to HarryVardon
In the last 10 years, BREC has closed the Dumas Golf Course (18 holes) and the Howell Park Golf Course (18 holes) in North Baton Rouge, reducing public course access by 36 holes.
This has left BREC golfers with Beaver Creek, Santa Maria, Webb, City Park and JS Clark. Five courses, three 18-hole layouts and two 9-hole layouts. That may seem like a lot of golf opportunity to some, but have you attempted to play one of these courses on a weekend? They're crowded.
For those who say City Park GC's users need only drive to nearby Webb Park GC if City Park GC is “re-purposed”, I say HELL NO.
A city-parish geographic area of this size easily supports the 72 holes of public golf we have left. BREC Golf numbers reveal that 125,000 total rounds were played in 2019 and in 2024 that total had increased to 192,000 rounds. More people started playing golf during COVID and more LSU students are playing BREC courses – and they're still coming.
BREC golfers, especially homeowners in the parish who pay the BREC tax millage, need to watch closely the master planning process for City Park. Speak up. Attend a BREC commission meeting, send an email to the commissioners -- stop the re-purposers – they're still coming for City Park Golf Course.
This has left BREC golfers with Beaver Creek, Santa Maria, Webb, City Park and JS Clark. Five courses, three 18-hole layouts and two 9-hole layouts. That may seem like a lot of golf opportunity to some, but have you attempted to play one of these courses on a weekend? They're crowded.
For those who say City Park GC's users need only drive to nearby Webb Park GC if City Park GC is “re-purposed”, I say HELL NO.
A city-parish geographic area of this size easily supports the 72 holes of public golf we have left. BREC Golf numbers reveal that 125,000 total rounds were played in 2019 and in 2024 that total had increased to 192,000 rounds. More people started playing golf during COVID and more LSU students are playing BREC courses – and they're still coming.
BREC golfers, especially homeowners in the parish who pay the BREC tax millage, need to watch closely the master planning process for City Park. Speak up. Attend a BREC commission meeting, send an email to the commissioners -- stop the re-purposers – they're still coming for City Park Golf Course.
Posted on 1/27/26 at 10:40 am to 904
Let us not forget that there is a historical nature to the golf course, which makes City Park unique not only to Baton Rouge, but nationally. The story of Tom Bendelow is phenomenal, and City Park is part of that. That means something unique to Baton Rouge.
To those who are blind to this and keep harping that the course is underutilized (and thus needs changing into a side show), a more comprehensive review of the facts might help. The last half dozen times I have played, the course has been jammed packed... to the point we have to wait to get a cart. And a few of these times were in the middle of the week, not just the weekend. So don't give me that story of underutilization anymore; the course is popular and has value.
There have been upgrades to the course, such as the addition of continual cart paths, that have enhanced the course and allowed it to gain revenue to the point where the course is nearing a threshold of being self-sustaining. If I am a taxpayer, that lets me know that BREC has been efficient in investing my dollars to make quality of experience a prerequisite. Why now take that away... for what?
The greater point should be, if past improvements have led to greater revenues and better service, then shouldn't we be investing even more into the course to gain even greater quality and sustainability? It has worked thus far.
There is plenty other space in the park for whatever it is they are trying to create; the golf course is a treasure and an asset; it needs to be treated that way.
To those who are blind to this and keep harping that the course is underutilized (and thus needs changing into a side show), a more comprehensive review of the facts might help. The last half dozen times I have played, the course has been jammed packed... to the point we have to wait to get a cart. And a few of these times were in the middle of the week, not just the weekend. So don't give me that story of underutilization anymore; the course is popular and has value.
There have been upgrades to the course, such as the addition of continual cart paths, that have enhanced the course and allowed it to gain revenue to the point where the course is nearing a threshold of being self-sustaining. If I am a taxpayer, that lets me know that BREC has been efficient in investing my dollars to make quality of experience a prerequisite. Why now take that away... for what?
The greater point should be, if past improvements have led to greater revenues and better service, then shouldn't we be investing even more into the course to gain even greater quality and sustainability? It has worked thus far.
There is plenty other space in the park for whatever it is they are trying to create; the golf course is a treasure and an asset; it needs to be treated that way.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 7:29 am to 904
Keep City Park as a full 9 golf course. It’s historic and has the only real topography of any local course. Insane these local idiots want to change it. Make your voice heard to keep it a full 9 and to improve it to a point where more people want to access it. 
Posted on 1/28/26 at 8:45 am to zippyputt
Who do we need to contact to voice our opinion?
This post was edited on 1/28/26 at 8:46 am
Posted on 1/28/26 at 9:19 am to Bawpaw
You can e-mail the BREC Commissioners at this address:
commissioners@brec.org
commissioners@brec.org
Posted on 1/28/26 at 10:46 am to 904
There are a few people in this city that will never quit until the course is gone.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 4:48 pm to dagrippa
Yes, and they feel entitled to decide what is best for the rest of us.
Posted on 1/28/26 at 5:30 pm to Bawpaw
BREC commissioners and any City Leaders and representatives.
This post was edited on 1/29/26 at 7:04 am
Posted on 1/28/26 at 6:02 pm to Bendelow
Thank you. I am on a five hour ride to TX tomorrow. I’ll shoot some emails out to them, the metro council, and maybe the local state rep.
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