A resident and regular golfer urged the council to resume plans for a renovation of Hermann Park Golf Course after the project was placed on hold for community input.

Andrew Strother, a District D resident and longtime golfer, said the Astros Foundation had pledged more than $30,000,000 to fund improvements and that renovations would improve course conditions, expand evening play with illuminated holes and lower barriers to entry. Strother contrasted Hermann Park’s conditions with the renovated Memorial Park course, which he described as significantly improved and said he travels there weekly.

Strother said the pause followed criticism that community engagement had been insufficient; he said no additional public outreach had been scheduled in the weeks since the pause. Council members asked questions about user experience comparisons and the value created by prior renovations; one council member said staff would follow up with the parks department.

Why it matters: Private funding that upgrades public recreational assets can expand access and lower taxpayer costs, but some residents want more formal community input on design changes to ensure neighborhood needs are addressed.

Next steps: Council members said they would push staff for community engagement and for an update from the parks department on outreach and scheduling.