Friends of Fort Ridgely on DNR decision
To the editor:
The Friends of Fort Ridgely along with their supporters were disappointed with the DNR’s response to the proposal for a group led by the City of Fairfax to operate the historic golf course at Fort Ridgely State Park. The proposal was a good faith effort to save the ninety year old facility while relieving the DNR of all financial commitments.
We will continue to work toward a solution that saves the golf course. Along with broad support from park users and citizens of southern Minnesota, all of our region’s legislators, Republican and Democrat, join with us in seeking a solution. We are in contact with them as we seek a way forward.
We are buttressed by overwhelming public support. Just last week the Minnesota River Congress passed a nearly unanimous resolution urging the DNR to accept an agreement to work with our group. The Congress is a citizen-led group focusing on the natural resource and economic health of the Minnesota River basin.
The golf course at Fort Ridgely is an asset with a value of at least $3 million dollars. It was renovated and converted successfully to grass greens in 2006 at a cost of $2.1 million dollars. The Friends and the City of Fairfax feel it would be a mistake to abandon the course at a time when rural Minnesota is in need of increasing economic and recreational options, not destroying them.
We had in mind that there would be a negotiation process to come to an agreement. We hoped that our proposal would be considered and discussed by both parties with possible adjustments in an effort to help our group succeed in preserving this important cultural resource and easing strains on the DNR.
It was discouraging that the DNR chose to emphasize alcohol sales in their public response. The plan to sell 3.2% beer was a small item in the proposal as we considered ways to make the project viable. There was also an out of hand rejection of golf cart rental which would be advantageous to older and less-able golfers. It was stated that those things were inconsistent with state park rules. Fort Snelling Golf Course which is located at Fort Snelling State Park and operated by the City of Minneapolis currently allows for beer sales and cart rental which we considered an existing precedent.
Randy Krzmarzick
Loran Kaardal
Mark Tjosaas
Friends of Fort Ridgely