Green vs. greens

People are taking sides in the recently announced proposal to build a nine-hole golf course in Bear Creek Regional Park. The golf enthusiasts who have approached the county with the proposal believe the land, 50 acres south of the park headquarters and east of 21st Street, is perfect for a gold course. Opponents, including the Trails & Open Space Coalition board of directors, believe it's perfect without a golf course, and that golf courses don't follow the new Parks Master Plan.

Here's the sticking point: The land is not developed now other than hiking trails. Whether that's a good thing or a bad thing depends on your point of view. Many want to preserve it as a little undeveloped jewel in the heart of the city. Others would love to see another golf course, even though the region already has 31 (private and public). But everyone agrees on one point: "It's a beautiful piece of property," said course proponent Judy Bell in an article in The Gazette March 25. (Check out the area south of the community gardens on this map.)

The parks department has scheduled a public meeting at 7 p.m. April 11 at the Bear Creek Nature Center, 245 Bear Creek Road.