RESOLUTION BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION Whereas, the Hancock Golf Course, listed in the National Register as a historic golf course, was established in 1899 by Austin Mayor Lewis Hancock and is reputed to be the oldest continuously operated golf course west of the Mississippi; and Whereas, the Hancock Recreation Center received Texas Historic Landmark status in 2014, noting that when the Austin Country Club moved to its new location in 1951 the clubhouse became one of the city’s first recreation centers; and Whereas, the Hancock Recreation Center is heavily used by community clubs and organizations, after-care programs, and children’s summer programs with additional community amenities of a soccer field, shaded playground, outdoor basketball court, and the walking/running trail around Hancock Golf Course installed and maintained with funds from the Hancock Neighborhood Association; and Whereas, the Hancock Golf Course is dedicated parkland; and Whereas, the Hancock Golf Course and Recreation Center is valued for the recreational, community service, and environmental benefits it provides to the Austin community, as well as its historic significance; and Whereas, the Hancock Golf Course under the Golf ATX enterprise fund has had an annual operational deficit of $100,000 plus for over ten years, the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) is seeking to increase fiscal responsibility of city funds by achieving financial solvency at the Hancock Golf Course and to continue historic presence of golf at this location, and; Whereas, PARD commissioned the study “Review of Operations and Strategic Planning for City of Austin Municipal Golf Courses” prepared by NGF Consulting, from which PARD derived the option it favors to enter into a “Turnkey Redevelopment and Concession Contract” to redevelop the site into a modern golf learning center, the conceptual design of which encompasses all but 6 acres of the 51acres that comprise the entirety of Hancock Golf Course and Recreation Center; and Whereas, the NGF analysis was based solely on the Golf ATX function of the greenspace without consideration for the community use of the Recreation Center and public park amenities at Hancock creating a void in analysis and recommendations; and Whereas, the Hancock Neighborhood Association in conjunction with PARD conducted a public engagement meeting on February 29, 2020, on the future of the Hancock Golf Course with the neighborhoods of Hancock, Eastwoods, Hyde Park, Cherrywood, North Loop, and North University, the outcome of which clearly reflects the value placed on the 1 of 2 Hancock Golf Course and Recreation Center for its public amenities and use as a community greenspace; and Whereas, in deference to the historic standing of Hancock Golf Course and its evolution through the Recreation Center and public amenities as a community greenspace, the Hancock Neighborhood Association calls for a new option to address financial solvency based on continuing the hybrid functionality of the Hancock Golf Course and Recreation Center that was voiced at the February engagement meeting and is expressed in the daily use of our public greenspace by the surrounding neighborhoods and broader community; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION OF THE AUSTIN CITY COUNCIL: To direct PARD to initiate a plan for golf and greenspace development and maintenance for balanced urban infrastructure that supports the health and wellbeing of diverse communities in Austin’s rapidly growing urban environment and allows for financial long-term sustainability that encompasses: • Near equal apportionment of the 51 acres of greenspace between golf and community active and passive public use; • The walking/running trail around the entirety of the 51 acres will have open public access. • The Hancock Golf Course and Recreation Center comes under PARD management with funds from the general fund, and eliminates enterprise funding under Golf ATX. • PARD redevelops its “short course” concept (holes ranging from 65 to 120 yards) under PARD management or enters into a public-private concession contract for development and operation. • Revenue from a public-private concession are used directly to offset maintenance costs of open space, other active recreational uses, and the Recreation Center. 2 of 2