Meyer is a Duluth architect and community builder writing about Downtown Duluth, politics, business, sports and economic development. Reach him at tim.meyer@meyergroupduluth.com
Following the 2025 presentation on the future of Lester Park Golf Course — and the subsequent media coverage — it became clear that a path forward is still needed.
This recommendation is offered as a resident of District 1 and as someone who has studied this issue for more than two years while serving as chairman of the Lester Park Golf Course and Recreation Working Group. That effort included a 22-member steering committee and more than 130 volunteers who helped develop multiple redevelopment options for the mayor and City Council. Those plans, to date, have not been acted upon.
This recommendation is my own. It does not represent the full Working Group.
The lack of progress on redevelopment is both disappointing and, frankly, embarrassing to those who invested significant time and effort into this process. It is time to move forward in a way that restores golf and preserves the open space valued by the surrounding neighborhoods.
A review of Lester Park Golf Course financial records and Parks and Recreation Commission data over the past 15 years shows annual losses ranging from $100,000 to $150,000. However, modest increases in green fees — even $5 to $10 — could have eliminated those deficits. Golf participation has increased significantly since 2019, and demand in the community remains strong. The course was never positioned or managed to operate as a sustainable revenue-generating asset.
During a City Council campaign two years ago, consistent feedback from residents across Lakeside, Lester Park, Woodland, Hunter’s Park and Morley Heights reflected strong support for restoring the course. Even many non-golfers supported reopening it as essential neighborhood green space.
Despite multiple committees studying the issue, meaningful community input was limited. That absence represents a failure of transparent, representative government.
A viable path forward exists.
Four developers have expressed interest in acquiring and redeveloping the full 270-acre parcel. Similar redevelopment projects have succeeded in comparable communities. Importantly, this proposal includes private funding and does not rely on tax-increment financing, infrastructure subsidies or utility costs borne by the city.
The concept also allows for local investment.
The following framework is recommended:
. Construction of approximately 500 single- and multi-family housing units
. Inclusion of 15% affordable or workforce housing
. Development of a recreation trailhead connecting to the Lester River trail system
. Extension of the Lakewalk into the development area
. Collaboration with local organizations, including COGGS and DXC, to expand trail-based recreation
. Sale of approximately 75 acres for development, with the remaining land retained by the city for golf use
. Preservation of public access to the golf course, with reduced rates for seniors and youth programming opportunities
City leaders have stated that public funding is not available for redevelopment. This proposal addresses that constraint while expanding the tax base and generating new revenue for the city.
The Lester Park site represents a rare opportunity to align housing, recreation and economic development in a single, coordinated plan.
The proposed 50/30/20 model — balancing housing, golf, recreation and limited commercial use — offers a practical and achievable path forward.
Now is the time to act.
