ROGERS — Golf club representatives and city officials reached a tentative agreement late Tuesday settling a dispute over public access to a trail crossing a golf cart path.
The portion of the trail near the seventh tee at The Greens at Blossom Way Golf and Country Club was closed late last week when club employees parked a tractor on the trail with a sign reading, “Trail Ends Here.” Club employees said they closed the trail because they were afraid someone would get hit by a golf ball.
City officials didn’t know club employees closed the trail until it was reported to police.
“As far as I know we have solved the problem to everybody’s satisfaction,” Steve Glass, city planning and transportation director, said Wednesday.
Hugh Jarratt, an attorney with Lindsey Management which manages the facility, said he understands the issue is settled.
“I wasn’t at the meeting Tuesday evening, but the partnership that owns the golf course and apartment complex at 2808 S. 28th Place, met with city officials and worked out a solution,” Jarratt said.
A 7-foot high, tight-weave chain-link fence is scheduled to be placed between the seventh hole tee box and the cart path that is also a part of the Blossom Way Trail, Glass said.
“Some additional fencing on a couple of other holes may be necessary to protect trail walkers from being struck by golf balls,” Glass said.
The golf club and the city will split the estimated $2,600 cost of the fencing, about $1,300 each, said Barney Hayes, park director. The trail system is part of the Parks Department.
“I think there is a plan to put some vegetation along the fence as well. I have been told the fencing should be complete in about two weeks,” Hayes said.
The tractor blocking the trail was moved Wednesday morning and city workers put up barricades with signs noting the trail is closed for construction, officials said.
The trail runs from the east side to the west side of Interstate 540 under an overpass, with part of the trail cutting through the golf course.
The owners of the apartments and golf club granted the city an easement for the trail before the complex was built in 2005. The trail through the course didn’t open to the public until two weeks ago when a new trail section connecting with the golf club trail was complete.
The Parks Department had a trail counter in place for 14 days, said Andrea Brinton, assistant park director.
“During the time the trail was open we had approximately 250 people a day using the trail. The number dropped to 70 people a day when the trail was blocked,” Brinton said.
Hayes said he thinks the situation will improve over time.
“Walkers need to learn some of the rules of golf, and golfers learn to watch for walkers. It’s just a matter of education and communication,” Hayes said.