Candler Park Golf Course (CPGC) should remain a golf course seven days per week, 365 days per year. 

CPCG reopened for golf in mid-June after a three-month closure due to COVID-19. During the closure, golf was banned and the course was open for “general use.” Now, CPGC is undergoing a trial period of weekly “general use” on Mondays for eight weeks to determine possible seasonal or permanent shared use of the course for walking, picnicking, school field-trips, and other non-golf activities. According to District 2 Atlanta City Council Member Amir Farokhi, this came about after the Candler Park Conservancy and the Candler Park Neighborhood Organization (CPNO) contacted him to inquire about shared use of the course. Mr. Farokhi then contacted the City of Atlanta Department of Parks and Recreation, which enacted this trial period. 

We believe that CPGC should remain a golf course seven days per week, 365 days per year because: 

• Affordable golf is vanishing from Atlanta. City golf courses are the only golf that many will ever get to play. To play a private course or join a private club is a luxury that many people simply cannot attain. 
• Shared use of the course is confusing, and a liability for the city. Sunbathers, picnickers, and bike riders have recently been on the course on non-Mondays, when golf is in play.  This is extremely dangerous, as recreational golfers aren’t always accurate.
• Within walking distance of CPGC, there is a vast amount of greatly underutilized greenspace. Additional space for non-golf activities is not needed. 
• For years there has been a push for the golf course to be integrated into Candler Park as additional park space or a wildlife habitat. This push for “general use” on Mondays seems like an additional step in that direction. 
• The course is maintained for golf, and “general use” can damage the course. Greens fees support the maintenance of the course.  
• Losing revenue, even on what are considered slow days, is a major hit to the bottom line. 
• Several middle and high schools use the course for practice rounds and tournaments.
• Golf is a naturally-socially-distant activity.  

Candler Park Golf Course was built to provide access to the game of golf. It's a scarce and valuable in-town resource, and because it is affordable, it's the only access to the sport for many people from all walks of life. Please don't allow a group of Candler Park-area residents, who are already beyond flush with greenspace, to be the sole influence for city decision makers in this matter. Please consider this petition, as well as the CPGC community who were given no opportunity for input in this decision.  Please keep CPGC a golf course seven days per week, 365 days per year.