DCNR is reclaiming part of Michaux State Forest. Here’s what to know.

• Ben Wasserstein/WITF
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 Rachel McDevitt / WITF

A view of Michaux State Forest from the top of Pole Steeple Trail on Sept. 8, 2018.

South Mountain Golf Course has sat on a 47-acre piece of land in Michaux State Forest since 1968.

But that’s coming to an end as the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources has decided to not renew the course’s lease.

When the DCNR renewed the 10-year lease on the course in 2015, it notified the leaseholders that it would likely not renew it again, said Christina Novak, communications director for the state agency.

An increase in park visitors and demand for recreational use contributed to the decision, she said.

“We have high visitor expectations around every acre of the Michaux,” Novak said. “And this area in particular, the southern end of the Michaux State Forest, has less amenities for visitors than areas in the northern part of the forest.”

The course will be used to improve the habitat for wildlife and be the spot of a new welcome center aimed at educating visitors on the land and its historical sites.

Controversy ensued after the announcement that the lease would not be renewed.

Barb Fox, a member of South Mountain Golf Course’s staff, said there was an agreement that golfers could express their concern at a town hall meeting on Oct. 18.

Though the meeting occurred, the public was not able to comment on the expiring lease as the decision was already final.

Fox said some people felt duped.

Novak, however, said the meeting was to explain the decision and “offer people the opportunity to help us talk about the new visitor center and the interpretive and educational elements that could be included to recognize the use as the golf course.”

She apologized for any miscommunication.

“In several conversations over a period of years DCNR did communicate with the golf course operators that it did not intend to renew the lease,” Novak said. “We apologize if the nature of the meeting was unclear.”

DCNR’s announcement of the meeting said the department was “strongly considering repurposing the site.”

However, an Aug. 11 letter from the department to the course said that it was recommended the DCNR would not renew the lease.

The decision to take the land back would allow it to be accessible to all, Novak said.

“It will no longer be used as a member’s golf course, but will be available to all recreational users in the state forest system,” she said.

A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.

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