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RESOLUTION
BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
ON THE FUTURE OF HANCOCK GOLF COURSE
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
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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 balance in uses 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 comes under PARD management with funds from the
General Fund and eliminates Enterprise Funding under Golf ATX.
•
PARD operates the golf course under PARD management or enters into a PARD
concession.
•
Recognition of the niche value of the unique layout of a Central Austin nine hole
golf course that attracts players of diverse abilities and backgrounds while
celebrating Austin’s rich history.
•
Increase awareness and revenues through a better managed golf program and a
supportive concessionaire (like a food truck) to offset operating costs.
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BY THE HANCOCK NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
ON THE FUTURE OF HANCOCK GOLF COURSE
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 balance in uses 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 comes under PARD management with funds from the
General Fund and eliminates Enterprise Funding under Golf ATX.
•
PARD operates the golf course under PARD management or enters into a PARD
concession.
•
Recognition of the niche value of the unique layout of a Central Austin nine hole
golf course that attracts players of diverse abilities and backgrounds while
celebrating Austin’s rich history.
•
Increase awareness and revenues through a better managed golf program and a
supportive concessionaire (like a food truck) to offset operating costs.
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