Golf Course Project Would Clear-Cut 8 Acres Of Forest In Rock Creek Park

[Anonymous]

A woman walking a nearby trail in MD WITH a partner was recently raped. The trails are generally not safe for women, even partnered. I’m old now, but I worry about the 20 something year old girls I sometimes see jogging in the park… there should be more safety measures in place for them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of the golf course. Simples. And cheap.

Why would DC residents give up one of the few recreational amenities we have?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't even know there was a golf course. I haven't gone in Rock Creek since Chandra Levy was found --a woman

Well, that’s your choice.

Yes, it is. I wouldn't never walk or jog there or Glover Archbold alone as a woman, or likely as a man. They found other bodies in Rock Creek while they were searching for Chandra (who they found eventually).

Yes but you’ve never gone on a walk or hike with another person?

Does anyone who doesn;t drive use Rock Creek? I'm from DC and I've only gone to that little book a BBQ area on the side for school events. I've never gone "in". How do you get to the golf course and horse stables and walking trails without a car? I'm from DC. Maybe my parents took me? Can't really remember. For me it's a nice lung for the city, like central park. I like looking down at the trees from bridges. It makes getting across town inconvenient. It's not a park I use. I use other parks way more; that's why I worry when development encroaches on the smaller, more accessible green spaces. But sure, I'm glad it's there. Again, I don't use it and I wouldn't feel safe walking most parts alone. And no, I've not walked or hiked Rock Creek with anyone else. Is this a thing?

Of course it is. You have a very egocentric view of this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I mean, the thing is, most of the trees they are cutting are trash trees. There, I said it. Invasive, trash Ailanthus are not worth getting in a lather about.

And this language about "clear cutting" - trying to evoke some natural hellscape. It's re-landscaping 8 acres away from trashy non-native invasive species into meadows and fairways.

I'm a staunch environmentalist, who normally things golf courses are terrible (too much water usage, too many chemicals), but the neglect of this course means hard measures have to be taken.

Except what you said isn’t true:

The most common species surveyed are tuliptree, American beech, oak, and maple. Just about half of those trees, 49%, could be removed as part of the project. About 200 new native trees would be planted once the construction is complete

What are you quoting from?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:WTF. Just repair the current fairways and hole, NPS. There is zero good reason to clear cut 8 acres, other than to appease some cronies who want the exclusive contract to run a golf course in DC and want it redesigned top-to-bottom at taxpayer expense.

Who is behind the efforts?

Something called the National Links Trust. Lots of RE developer connections there and it sounds like they're more interested in money in their pockets (as evinced by their "would you like to make a $500,000 minimum donation?" email earlier this year) than remaking muni golf in DC.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:WTF. Just repair the current fairways and hole, NPS. There is zero good reason to clear cut 8 acres, other than to appease some cronies who want the exclusive contract to run a golf course in DC and want it redesigned top-to-bottom at taxpayer expense.

Who is behind the efforts?

Something called the National Links Trust. Lots of RE developer connections there and it sounds like they're more interested in money in their pockets (as evinced by their "would you like to make a $500,000 minimum donation?" email earlier this year) than remaking muni golf in DC.

I just looked at the plan and it looks great. The Board seems legit too.

What's your angle?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I didn't even know there was a golf course. I haven't gone in Rock Creek since Chandra Levy was found --a woman

Well, that’s your choice.

Yes, it is. I wouldn't never walk or jog there or Glover Archbold alone as a woman, or likely as a man. They found other bodies in Rock Creek while they were searching for Chandra (who they found eventually).

Yes but you’ve never gone on a walk or hike with another person?

Does anyone who doesn;t drive use Rock Creek? I'm from DC and I've only gone to that little book a BBQ area on the side for school events. I've never gone "in". How do you get to the golf course and horse stables and walking trails without a car? I'm from DC. Maybe my parents took me? Can't really remember. For me it's a nice lung for the city, like central park. I like looking down at the trees from bridges. It makes getting across town inconvenient. It's not a park I use. I use other parks way more; that's why I worry when development encroaches on the smaller, more accessible green spaces. But sure, I'm glad it's there. Again, I don't use it and I wouldn't feel safe walking most parts alone. And no, I've not walked or hiked Rock Creek with anyone else. Is this a thing?

Yes, people have picnics, set up screens and watch movies outside, ride horses, hike, swing in their hammocks, visit the turtles in the nature center or go to the planetarium.

It’s interesting that the only use of the park OP objects to is golf.

The “screen on the green lobby” is apparently A-OK

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s a lot of trees to take down. Rock Creek is a mess ecologically and the golf course in its current state probably doesn’t help. Maybe they could incorporate the redesign to provide other types of habitats and improve Rock Creek’s water quality? There are naturalistic golf course designers that work to provide wildlife habitat as part of the course.

Rip out the golf course and replace it with trees, parks, bike paths, etc. Anything but doubling down on a golf course.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Why would DC residents give up one of the few recreational amenities we have?

Few recreational amenities? Lol, try again. And just because you enjoy a sport based on the wasteful and inefficient use of valuable urban land while polluting the land and waterways with maintenance doesn't mean you're entitled easy access to play it at taxpayer expense.

Pick up tennis.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a lot of trees to take down. Rock Creek is a mess ecologically and the golf course in its current state probably doesn’t help. Maybe they could incorporate the redesign to provide other types of habitats and improve Rock Creek’s water quality? There are naturalistic golf course designers that work to provide wildlife habitat as part of the course.

Rip out the golf course and replace it with trees, parks, bike paths, etc. Anything but doubling down on a golf course.

Would pickle ball be better for you? What about an ice hockey rink?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A woman walking a nearby trail in MD WITH a partner was recently raped. The trails are generally not safe for women, even partnered. I’m old now, but I worry about the 20 something year old girls I sometimes see jogging in the park… there should be more safety measures in place for them.

I think being attacked with a partner is still rare, thank goodness, which is why that case garnered so much attention. But I do think women alone should think about precautions and safety measure would be lovely. I wish women could walk freely in this country. So unfair.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why would DC residents give up one of the few recreational amenities we have?

Few recreational amenities? Lol, try again. And just because you enjoy a sport based on the wasteful and inefficient use of valuable urban land while polluting the land and waterways with maintenance doesn't mean you're entitled easy access to play it at taxpayer expense.

Pick up tennis.

Does DC have any other public golf courses? There are quite a few tennis courts. There are some cities in America--Denver comes to mind--that are dotted with public fairways.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Why would DC residents give up one of the few recreational amenities we have?

Few recreational amenities? Lol, try again. And just because you enjoy a sport based on the wasteful and inefficient use of valuable urban land while polluting the land and waterways with maintenance doesn't mean you're entitled easy access to play it at taxpayer expense.

Pick up tennis.

First of all, it is not “urban land” being “wastefully and inefficiently”, it is designated national parkland specifically set aside for recreational use and enjoyment.

Second, if “taxpayer” money was only used for the things that the majority of people enjoy and use, I am not sure that you would like the results.

Last, I am truly glad that you don’t get to decide which recreation that people can enjoy in this world.

Get a grip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s a lot of trees to take down. Rock Creek is a mess ecologically and the golf course in its current state probably doesn’t help. Maybe they could incorporate the redesign to provide other types of habitats and improve Rock Creek’s water quality? There are naturalistic golf course designers that work to provide wildlife habitat as part of the course.

Rip out the golf course and replace it with trees, parks, bike paths, etc. Anything but doubling down on a golf course.

[b]Would pickle ball be better for you? [b]What about an ice hockey rink?

Did someone say pickle ball? Paging Matt Frumin!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How many people are served by this golf course?

Everyone who wants to golf and can't afford a country club.

So, something like 6 people?

Haha