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Hollywood outlines phased canal cleanup at Echo Golf Course; parks options to be vetted with community
Summary
City utilities staff presented a phased canal maintenance plan for Echo Golf Course to reduce neighborhood flooding; staff aims to finish canal clearing and drainage work by June 2025 and will launch community engagement on future uses including a driving range, reduced golf configuration, or fenced reopening.
The City of Hollywood’s director of public utilities presented a multi‑phase canal maintenance program on Oct. 23 aimed at restoring drainage at Echo Golf Course, where canals had gone largely unmaintained for about 40 years and vegetation and low elevations block free flow.
Staff outlined completed and planned phases: roughly 1,000 feet of canal work (phase 1) is complete, crews are working phase 2 and preparing permits and access agreements with Broward County for additional segments. Utilities said the site’s low grade (about 1 foot elevation at NAVD) and tidal influence require a mix of pumps, berm repair and canal clearing; staff added temporary pumps and a repaired berm at Harding and 14th to reduce flooding in adjacent neighborhoods.
Utilities presented three interim options for the golf property while work proceeds: reopen a southwest portion as a driving range; convert to a shortened ‘‘super‑golf’’ nine‑hole concept; or reopen the course behind construction fencing for limited play. Parks staff said they will lead community engagement on those options and evaluate how Echo would complement the city’s other municipal courses.
Commissioners and residents urged careful coordination between drainage work and any recreation plan. Commissioner Schuham praised the utilities work and asked staff to ensure residents along 14th Street are confident flooding will be reduced; staff said clearing canals, pumps and berm work could reduce localized flooding in the near term, with full benefits expected if the project continues on schedule.
Staff’s near‑term timeline targets completion of permitted canal segments by December–January for much of the work, with full clearing and canal connection to the Intracoastal by June 2025 if permits and county access agreements proceed.
What’s next: staff will continue canal clearing where permits allow, finalize county access agreements for segments on county land, and launch community engagement on Echo’s future uses.
