UPDATE PAGE 1.Audubon Park Golf Course

From: Rebecca Dietz
Good morning,

I am follow up on your email regarding the Audubon Golf Course.

During this challenging time, Audubon is happy that the community is able to utilize the course space to safely enjoy the outdoors. Audubon has closed the golf course during COVID-19 outbreak for the safety and welfare of our employees and our community. We will reopen the golf course in the coming weeks when we have sufficient staff to do so safely. Reopening will require course maintenance and crowd management. We are not in a position right now to make long-term decisions about the golf course. Audubon is facing a devasting financial outlook due to closures of its facilities and has had to furlough or lay off hundreds of our employees including 52 full and part time staff from the golf course and golf clubhouse.

Audubon Golf Course has been a part of the Audubon Park experience since 1898, when the course was opened. Nearly 30,000 rounds of golf are enjoyed annually, bringing in revenue that supports the upkeep and maintenance of the course and other areas in Audubon Park.

As we have seen in the last several months, there is increased community interest in more open park space as well as maintaining the golf course. Because Audubon Park is a community park, the Audubon Commission would hold public engagement sessions and receive feedback from all park users before any change in use was considered. We appreciate all feedback from the community and we will widely announce any planning meetings in the future concerning the golf course.

Thank you and be well.

Rebecca H. Dietz

Audubon Nature Institute
Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and General Counsel