Parks & Recreation

  1. City of Duluth
  2. Parks & Recreation
  3. Parks Planning
  4. Progress in the Parks
  5. Enger Golf Course Renovation

Enger Park Golf Course Irrigation

Enger Golf Course
Project Status: Completed

Project Overview:

In 2018, a golf course architectural assessment of Duluth's public courses was conducted to identity issues and help prioritize future projects. Potential improvements were categorized into critical, competitive and comprehensive. In December 2020, the Public Golf Committee approved a motion to focus on Enger's ten critical improvements-those improvements which are in greatest need of being addressed and would play the most significant role in reducing repairs and on-going maintenance and in increasing revenue through increased daily fee rounds. A large portion of the critical items includes a new irrigation system and irrigation pond. Other items include course drainage improvements, fairway and bunker renovations, and clubhouse renovation. 

The Enger Park Golf Course Renovation Plan was approved by the Parks & Recreation Commission on September 15, 2021 and by City Council on September 27, 2021.

Prior Golf Course study and findings documents related to Duluth Public Golf are available at: https://duluthmn.gov/parks/golf/duluth-public-golf/.

Buckingham Creek is the coldest designated trout stream in Duluth, and it runs through the Enger Park Golf Course. In 2024 and 2025, the MN Department of Natural Resources and the South St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District restored roughly 3,500 feet of Buckingham Creek. Undersized culverts were replaced with bridges, the riparian area was replanted while accommodating course standards, habitat features (pools and riffles) were added, and appropriate stream geomorphology for this size watershed was restored. This project was completed concurrent with the City's irrigation project at Enger Golf Course. Restoration work was funded by a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant and funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The Buckingham Creek restoration resulted in a more resilient creek, better trout habitat, and a more aesthetically pleasing course.

Project Update:

Phase I of the renovation at Enger Park Golf Course included a new irrigation system, irrigation pond, improvements to fairways, and restoration of Buckingham Creek. Phase I started in the fall of 2023 with the excavation of the irrigation storage pond. Installation of the new irrigation system on 18 of the 27 holes was approved by Council on June 12, 2023 and was installed in 2024 and 2025. Funding from the Athletic Venues Reinvestment Initiative allowed for the remaining 9 holes and the driving range practice area to be added to the irrigation system replacement, effectively renewing the entire irrigation system.

The disc golf course was removed from Enger Park Golf Course.

Funding Source:

The Phase I of this project was paid for with $5.5 million sourced as follows:

  • $2.5 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding for local government revenue replacement;
  • $2 million of bonding to be financed by golf revenues;
  • $0.5 million from undedicated excess 2022 tourism tax receipts;
  • $0.5 million from General Fund reserves;
  • $1.7 million from the Duluth Athletic Venues Reinvestment Initiative (AVRI); and
  • Buckingham Creek restoration was funded by a Conservation Partners Legacy Grant and funding through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.

Timeline:

Completed in 2025.

Important Documents:

 

Contact

 

Project Proposal Application

Parks Fall Programs

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