Duluth Council Faces Decision on Golf Course and Recreation Land

On December 8, 2023, the Duluth City Council will deliberate an ordinance that addresses two crucial matters: the future of the Lester Park Golf Course and the safeguarding of significant recreational lands and trail systems in the city. This decision follows a controversial shift from a previous resolution aimed at preserving the golf course as parkland. The council had initially voted in 2021 to maintain the area as public green space, but the recent proposal seeks to transfer the property to the Duluth Economic Development Authority (DEDA) for potential development, pending a land-use plan.

The second issue at hand is less visible but equally important. A long-term collaborative effort has been underway to protect numerous areas traditionally used for outdoor activities such as skiing, hiking, and biking. These locations, previously under the control of St. Louis County as tax-forfeited lands, are now under threat of development.

The mayor and the City Council are currently linking the protection of these tax-forfeited lands—an issue resolved years ago—to the residential development of the Lester Park golf property. Over the past two decades, city and county staff, along with organizations like the Minnesota Land Trust, have worked diligently to identify and prioritize these lands. Factors such as natural features, sensitive ecosystems, and existing urban infrastructure have guided the protection strategy.

In 2021, the council unanimously approved the transfer of these vulnerable tax-forfeited lands to the city, contingent upon a zoning change to designate them as parkland. This designation would protect them from future development or sale without a supermajority vote of the council. Although the transfer is complete, the necessary zoning change to secure their protected status has not yet been enacted.

The McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America has voiced strong support for the protection of these areas, emphasizing their recreational, environmental, and economic significance. The organization commends the collaborative efforts of city and county officials and recognizes the long-standing commitment to preserving these lands.

The ordinance under consideration includes the required zoning change for 1,500 acres of recreational land but mistakenly ties this critical protection to the transfer of 230 acres of Lester Park Golf Course to DEDA. Connecting these unrelated issues poses significant risks, undermining the established public process for land protection. The initiative to preserve the 1,500 acres serves as a model for community collaboration in balancing conservation and development priorities.

In contrast, the proposed transfer of the golf course property has been met with contention and concerns regarding governance and public input. There has been inadequate engagement with the community and the Parks Commission, leading to unresolved issues surrounding the decision.

As the City Council prepares to vote, it is imperative to separate these two matters. The council should uphold its obligation to protect the tax-forfeited lands while reassessing its strategy regarding the former Lester Park Golf Course.

Julie O’Leary, chair of the board of the W.J. McCabe Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, expresses the board’s collective perspective on this matter. Her insights reflect the broader community’s desire to ensure sustainable management of Duluth’s vital recreational resources.