OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The Lakeshore Municipal Golf Course land that Oshkosh Corporation doesn’t use for its new headquarters will be used for a city park.
Oshkosh’s common council passed a resolution supporting the move Tuesday night.
“It’s a sport that’s dwindling in its appeal,” said Steve Cummings, Oshkosh’s mayor.
“I think we have to look at the entire community and the uses of that piece of land.”
Oshkosh Corporation plans to use about 35 acres of the course for its new headquarters.
In an online survey, Oshkosh residents were asked if they’d like the rest of the course to be turned into an executive 9-hole course or be used as a community park.
Of the 1,072 voters, 72 percent chose a park.
Tony Dirth, an Oshkosh resident spoke to the council and says the numbers speak for themselves..
“This is the right decision based on public input, that poll, and just the overall cost.”
And while city parks director Ray Maurer says the survey was a proper representation of the community, Deputy Mayor Steve Herman disagreed.
“We always ask them to be engaged, get involved. That didn’t happen here.”
Herman also argued the process of deciding what to do with the land was rushed.
“We don’t know what we’ve got out there until Corp is done until the roads are in until the river walk is in.”
Ultimately, Herman and five others supported the resolution to make the land a community park. No one voted against it and one council member did not vote.
“The golf course, 18 holes, was a money loser,” said Cummings.
“I can’t help but think 9 holes would be an even bigger money loser.”
The city will now spend the next nine months coming up with a master plan for the new park.
