A Legacy Worth Protecting: An Open Letter to the BREC Commissioners and the Citizens of Baton Rouge

To the BREC Commissioners and our fellow neighbors across East Baton Rouge Parish,

Baton Rouge is a city defined by its stories, its soul, and its landmarks. But today, one of our most precious "third spaces" stands at a crossroads. As discussions continue regarding the future of our park system, we must recognize that the Historic City Park Golf Course is not just a collection of fairways—it is the living heart of Mid-City.

We believe that a "bold vision" for our city does not require the erasure of our heritage. Here is why we must preserve this jewel for generations to come:

1. A Monument to Progress and History

Designed in 1928 by the legendary "Johnny Appleseed of Golf," Tom Bendelow, this course is more than a recreational facility; it is a historic landmark. As the first integrated public course in the region, its fairways represent a triumph of community over exclusion. Its inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places isn't just a title—it is a mandate to protect a piece of American history that belongs to us all.

2. The "People’s Course" is the Soul of Accessibility

Great cities provide "Great Parks" by ensuring accessibility for everyone. City Park Golf Course is the most accessible, walkable, and affordable entry point for the game in our parish. It serves the elementary, high school student, and college student at LSU, the retiree in Garden District, and the working family in Mid-City. To "consolidate" golf elsewhere is to strip this community of its most convenient and welcoming green space.

3. A Rare Urban Sanctuary

In a world of concrete and rapid development, the rolling hills and mature tree canopy of City Park offer a literal and figurative "recharge." This landscape provides essential "green lungs" for one of the most densely populated areas of our parish. You cannot move these 100-year-old trees or recreate the unique topography at another facility. Once this land is repurposed, the character of Mid-City is changed forever.

4. Progress Through Preservation, Not Replacement

We support the revitalization of the University Lakes and the improvement of our community parks. However, true progress is additive, not subtractive. We do not need to choose between a "world-class park" and a "historic golf course." City Park already is world-class because it offers a diverse mix of culture (Baton Rouge Gallery), play (Knock Knock Museum), and sport ( the Tennis Courts), (the Croquet Courts) and (the century old Golf Course).

5. An Economic and Cultural Anchor

A vibrant City Park Golf Course drives foot traffic to local businesses and stabilizes property values. It acts as a gateway to the university and a welcoming front door to our city. Preserving this course is a smart investment in the "quality of life" that attracts and retains the very talent Baton Rouge needs to thrive.

 
Our Call to Action

We urge the BREC Commissioners to honor the history of this land and the voices of the citizens who use it. We ask you to work with the community to enhance and maintain this historic treasure as a golf course, ensuring it remains a vibrant, active, and protected part of our city’s future.

Don’t let the sun set on a century of history. Sign our petition today to tell BREC: Preserve the Heart of Mid-City. Save Historic City Park Golf Course.