Scioto County Commissioner Bryan Davis finally has news about plans for the former golf course property at Shawnee State Park. Davis complained last week about ODNR keeping him and his fellow commissioners in the dark about plans for the property. According to Davis, “The answer is “there is no golf.”
The commission is disappointed in the result. He says they fought hard to persuade the state to keep a golf course there. “But at the end of the day, it’s not our decision. ODNR is making the decision. They say they feel this is the direction they need to go.”
Commissioner Cathy Coleman echoed his sentiment, saying that she’s heard from the public that they did not fight hard enough to save the golf course, but that simply isn’t true.
That new direction for the property includes plans for a paddleboard and kayaking course that is already under construction. Davis said they are already in the process of joining ponds on the former golf course.
He says ODNR reps presented a plan that included upgrades to the marina, a zipline over the marina, an amphitheater, and luxury campsites. The campsites would accommodate RVs over 50’ in length and be year-round facilities. There are even plans for a virtual archery range. Right now, however, those ideas are still just plans. Not much is set in stone.
Davis had hoped for a compromise that would allow golf to continue but says the commissioners are committed to making any new project a success. “We tried to have an effect on that decision and it didn’t work out. Now we need to make this works for our community. We have to make sure this is a win and not a loss.” He says he challenged ODNR to come up with a plan that would make our area the next Hocking Hills. “ODNR says this is how that could happen.”
On the bright side, commissioners will no longer be kept in the dark about progress at the site. The project manager for ODNR has agreed to meet with them once a month for an update.
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Keywords: Shawnee golf course
