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1. Buffalo Hill Golf Course Multiple Use PolicyREPORT FROM: SUBJECT. MEETING ATE: Cl*ty of Kali'spel"11 Post Office Box 1997 - Kalispell. Montana - - Telephone Fax -758-7754 Mayor Pam. Kennedy and Kalispell City Council Michael Baker, Director of Parks & Recreation Buffalo dill Course Multiple -Use Policy March L, 20 BACKGROUND: The Kalispell Golf Association (KGA) leases the golf course from the City o Kalispell for the pose o ovil'g the best possible golfing conditions for its paying members and the community. As a result, the KGA and the City of Kalispell have a resoillt� o coto.ing access to the golf course for both Bolters and non -golfers. The KGA has histofically encouraged non -golfers to utilize the course for off season activities such as cross-country skloing, sledding, Jogging, etc., subject however to reasonable e rules and regulations. Personal safety is the highest priority and therefore the KGB. has drafted a Buffalo Hill Course Multiple -Use Policy to address safety issues. This policy has been made available for public review and comment. The past year the city attomcy and have met several times with the association board to work out an acceptable policy. RECOMMENDATION,: To accept the request of the Kalispell Golf Association for a general access policy affecting golfer and non golfers. FISCAL EFFECTS: None at this time. , ►LTERNATWES# None at this time, es ectfal y submitted, Michael Baker Jos H. Patrick� Director of Parks an IRec eatio City Manager Repot Compiled Marc. 1, 200 Attachments - Kalispell Golf Association Multiple Use Policy Draft DRAFT Buffalo Hill Cours. . ..................... .e Multiple -Use Polk.. v............ The Kalispell Golf Association KG leases the golf course from the City of Kalispell for the purpose of providing the best possible golfing conditions for its paying members and guests. As a result: the KGA and the City of Kalispell must be res Pons i b lfor co n trol 1i ng access to the golf course for both golfers and no n-gol . Personal safety i highest priority. Goiter Accesso Golfers are allowed on the course only during "open tee time" periods as posted in the Clubhouse alcrl: There are predictable periods of time when the course is closed for maintenance; consequently, there are no -'kopen tee im ri during these periods of time. r Golfers are allowed on the course when the course Is safe and ready to play as determined the Golf Course Maintenance Staff* Rational; There are environmental conditions that occasionally occur that result in the closure of the course. For example, le, heavy rains can caus-e dangerous soil conditions for goffers and traffic during saturated soil conditions, resulting in soil compaction, which is detrimental to the playabifity of the turf. Frost covered turf can dhe if traffic is allowed, consequently: the coarse is closed until the frost :melts, High winds can result in dangerous debris and hazardous trees on the course, consequently, the course maybe closed until the dan er us conditions have been corrected. The Goff Course Maintenance Staff is responsible for making the course playable, and as a result, making the determination when the course is safe to play, Golfers are not allowed on the course when lightning Is In the area, as determined by the Piro Shop Staff. Ra ional: Lightning kills golfers eery year, The Pro Shop Staff will do it bast to close and clear the golf course when lightning is threatening, The Pre shop Staff will also determine when the lightning appears to have left the area, and then re -open the golf course for play. Golfers are not Mowed on the course during the hfti me hours when the course is "open fo r the season.� Rational, The golf course is irrigated during the nighttime hours, the golf courseirrigations rri a ion stern operates high pressure (Lip Yf 120 PSI), Anyone hit thishigh-pressure,high-velocity water can sustain siqnificant injury and possibly even death, consequently, the coarse is closed to non -golfers during the nighttime hours when the course Is "open for the season?. " Buffalo Hr#f Goff Course has significant elevation charges throughout its grounds, and the limited light during the nighttime hours can impair ores ability to accurately judge the terrain, consequently, the course is closed to non -golfers during the nighttime hours and when the course is 'open for the season..1-1 5. Golfers are not allowed on the course when the course is "`closed for the on" as determined by the General Manager, Rational: Once the course is "closed for the season, x' other non -golfer acuities begin such as jogging, sledding and skiing. These nor: -golfers are not mare of the risks golf balls pose zind will not be prepared to look -out for flying goff afis,, consequently, when the course is closed for the season, golfers may not play on the course. lion -Golf r A e§ 6. Non -Getters golf course is "closed for the #l subject t Fours governing city parks, generally open t ; a.m. and closed t 1 -..m, Rational: IVon golfing activities such as walking and jogging are encouraged when the golf course is closed for the season, and during hours consistent with other City of Kalispell parks, . Skiing and sledding is encouraged when adequate snow cover exists as determined by the Golf Course Maintenance Staff. . Non -Golfers are not allowed on the course during the daylight hours when the course i "open for the se so .� Rational: Golf balls have been clocked at over 150 mph, and typically land with a velocity of over 50 mph, consequently, flying golf halls pose a significant danger to non -golfers who may stray into landing zones. I on�Golfers are not allowed on the course during the nl httime hours when the course is "open for the season.J1 ationaL The golf course is irrigated during the nighttime httir e hours. The golf course irrigations systern operates at high pressure to 120 Psi). Anyone hit by this high-pressure, high -velocity water can sustain significant inl'ury and possibfy even deaths consequently, the course is closer to non -golfers durinthe nighttime fours when the course i "open for the season. "' Buffalo Hill Golf Course has significant elevation changes es throughout its grounds, and the friar e d light during the n Thane lours can /y im air ones ability to ac r o' t ly e the term#, consequently, the course is closed to non -golfers duringthe nighttime hours and whenthe course i "open for the season- }' 103 Nord -Goiters are not allowed on the course when frost covered turf conditions exist even when the course i Aiclosed for the season." "attonal: Frost covered turf can die if traffic is allowed; consequently, the grounds are closed to all traffic until the frost melts as determined by the Golf Course Maintenance Staff l ationaL, Skiing and sledding can cause damage to the turf when there is inadequate snow cover, consequently, the course will be closed to skiing and sledding during periods of limited snow cover as determined by the Golf Course Maintenance Staff 11. Consistent with other public golf courses in the area, dogs are not allowed on the r s of any time whether with golfers o non olt rs. Rats r For purposes of liability and safety of pedestrians= dogs are not allowed on the golf course at any time, Additionally, fecal deposits pose significant health risks to skiers and steers as well as for the Goff Course Maintenance Staff during the turf maintenance seasons, Damage to turf is also a common result of dog waste. Finally, Bice a baseball field or football field, golf course turf is intended for a specific use, as such, dogs and their waste do not belong on the golf course because both can negatively impact the competition, This policy is for the benefit and welfare of both the golfing and non -golfing community. Violations are, subject to public ordinance, whieb may result in fixes or other penalties.