Parks commission weighs Oak Knoll Golf Course future after talks with prospective contracted operator break down

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

The potential future for Oak Knoll Golf Course and reopening of the Japanese Garden dominated the agenda at an Ashland Parks & Recreation Committee meeting Wednesday. 

The future of Oak Knoll Golf Course is uncertain but could be bright, Interim Director Leslie Eldridge said. 

Thanks to the efforts of APRC staff and generous rainfall this year, the greens are green — a considerable improvement from the dismal rotten avocado colors visible this time last year.

In February 2023, commissioners directed staff to issue a request for proposals for a third party entity to operate the golf course. Negotiations with the chosen vendor — Golf Automation — recently broke down after neither party was able to come to an equitable agreement, Eldridge said. 

Due to the uncertainty of negotiations, APRC has not directed its limited resources toward improvements or planning at the course. In a recent meeting of interested community members and groups and the Golf Management Advisory Committee, Eldridge said there was enthusiasm about the potential of the course and a litany of varying ideas. 

Some said the focus needs to be on a full-time leadership role on the course, a position which is vacant. Others suggested giving staff raises and turning temporary employees into full time positions. Still others emphasized investing further in seed and fertilizer. 

The course was becoming highly profitable and providing a diversity of uses prior to and immediately after the pandemic, she said, sharing a series of numbers. In fiscal year 2019, the course earned $247,971, while in fiscal year 2022, revenues were as high as $392,765. During this period the course was host to concerts and weddings while a restaurant on the grounds enjoyed popularity. 

Water remains a concern for the future. For this year, Talent Irrigation District water is expected to be enough. The pond on the course holds 370,000 gallons of water. Which “seems like a lot,” Eldridge said, until it’s broken down into the vastness of the thirsty greens. Watering as desired, that’s enough for four days. In extreme drought, by watering only tees, fairways and roughs, it can be stretched to about 21 days.

Eldridge said staff have considered increased water storage on site, but this would require a feasibility study and consideration of “legal liabilities.” 

“It’s a big idea, and I think it’s contingent on getting the revenues up,” said Commission Chair Jim Bachman. 

Commissioner Justin Adams conceded he did not know much about golf and does not play well. But those who email him their thoughts and “tug on my sleeve” with ideas are passionate one way or another, he said. Some Ashland residents want to see the course in its former glory. Some want to see it replaced with affordable housing. Adams suggested creating an opportunity for broad local discussion for the course’s future. 

“My sense is that there are probably a whole lot more ideas out there in the community,” he said. 

Ashland Parks Superintendent Kevin Caldwell reported to commissioners the efforts to redesign the koi pond at the Japanese Garden are going well and should facilitate long-term health for the fish. 

Beginning last year, staff began to notice algae growing in the pond at a rate that would injure the fish, Caldwell said. The garden has been closed since April 2 to install needed improvements for fish longevity and pond clarity. The fish have been relocated to a safe location somewhere near Phoenix during this process, Bachman said. 

Caldwell said some new pumps have been installed, there is a new UV light disinfection system and new filters. The fish can also enjoy new “koi exercisors.” 

“Because you don’t want lazy koi,” he said. 

Eldridge asked commissioners if they wanted to know how the koi exercisers function. In response to a tepid answer in the affirmative, the interim director explained the pond will have new jets that serve various purposes for the fish. 

“If you’re a fish, you’re going to want to swim against that, and into that. It cleans them and exercises them. … It’s like a hamster wheel for koi,” she said. 

The pond is now expected to reopen Monday, April 15, after an unexpected delay made it impossible to meet the initial projected reopening of Saturday, April 13, according to an update from a garden official. 

In other APRC business Wednesday, Eldridge shared a series of changes in the director’s report. 

By cutting the APRC half of the city’s contract with Pathway Enterprises, there is a hope to get a handle on a long term problem of expensive vandalism in parks facilities. 

Two new full-time APRC staff members are now working seven days a week, including holidays,  from 6:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. The contract with Pathways was budgeted at $222,526 to clean and lock and unlock the bathrooms for fiscal year 2024. Even with two full-time staff members, APRC is seeing budgetary savings of close to $90,000, she said. Some of those savings may be used to hire a third staff member. APRC has also canceled a contract with Maksimum Security to lock and unlock the Japanese Gardens. Staff have taken over these duties as well. 

“We expect to have better quality product, nicer bathrooms, more accountability, because it’s our staff,” she said. 

Bachman added that Ashland police cadets are now patrolling Ashland parks for the first time in a few years in an additional effort to cut down the problem. 

“We are getting more eyes and ears and boots on the ground in the park and around our facilities to work this problem, because it’s going to go on indefinitely and we just have to keep up with it,” he said. 

In response to the recent DEIA (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility) assessment report for the city of Ashland, Eldrige said she has also held “Lunch with Leslie” events with APRC staff. During these meetings, she was impressed with the palpable dedication of staff. 

“I really can’t stress how strong the work ethic and the investment is across the board,” she said. 

Staff highlighted a number of issues and concerns, including a concern over budget limitations, the cost of seed, fertilizer and other supplies, and a sense that there are not enough staff to do the work that needs to be done at the level staff want to see. Staff also expressed hope for more opportunities for certifications, training and professional opportunities. Eldrige said there could be fiscal impacts in the future as APRC works to address the wishes of staff to retain dedicated employees and help them feel supported. 

Restoration of Pioneer Hall and the Ashland Community Center is also expected to begin as soon as the coming summer or fall, she said. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.

Sunday, April 14: Projected reopening date updated.