As the community struggles with what to do with Port Townsend Golf Course (PTGC) they might look at Sequim’s Carrie Blake Park.
This elegantly-designed, environmentally-friendly park serves the entire community.
The areas are similar: PTGC is 58 acres; Carrie Blake 52 acres.
PTGC features a 9-hole golf course, driving range, putting green, and chipping area.
But in 2021 only 212 rounds of golf were played, about ½ round/day.
Carrie Blake Park serves children, athletes, seniors, bird watchers, gardeners, walkers, dog lovers, music fans, skateboarders, picnickers and even wildlife.
Its features include Japanese and botanic gardens, walking paths, pickleball courts, picnic facilities, amphitheater, shuffleboard/bocce ball courts, duck ponds, two playgrounds, playing fields, BMX track, skateboard park, dog agility course, three off-leash dog parks, soccer and softball fields and event center with commercial kitchen.
Anytime, even on blustery days, dozens enjoy the amenities.
Golf course pesticides and water consumption are environmentally unfriendly.
Port Townsend Golf Club enjoys up to 9 million gallons of city water free each year.
Carrie Blake Park is a water re-use demonstration project.
Much of the park isn’t irrigated.
Any irrigation uses re-claimed water.
Ponds attract birds and ducks, like mallards, American wigeons, and bald eagles.
Port Townsend’s golfers need a place to play.
Discovery Bay Golf Course is 18-holes, 225-acres that reviewers call “one of the best kept secrets in the whole state.”
It’s only 14 minutes from downtown Port Townsend.
Our city deserves a big, green space all of us can use.
Bobbie Hasselbring
Port Townsend