PORT TOWNSEND — Two years into their 22-year lease, Friends of the Port Townsend Golf Park is exceeding expectations, Port Townsend officials say.
Leaders from the nonprofit organization, which started managing the park at the end of 2023, presented a two-year review of their work to the city council on Monday, as required by their lease.
Since it began managing the park, the organization has expanded recreational uses, multiplied community users, prioritized sustainability and set a course to be financially self-sustaining.
“We’re not just golf anymore, and we’re very proud of that,” said Bob Wheeler, president of the board.
Wheeler noted a sense of teamwork that the Friends of the Port Townsend Golf Park and the city share.
“I believe we have really formed a great city-friends partnership that together is enhancing and fine-tuning what we’ve accomplished to date,” he said. “This teamwork is paying huge dividends, I believe, for the community as we work to make plans together for the future.”
The organization has completed renovations in the course’s restaurant, Coyote & Crow, and in the clubhouse, including major cleaning, replacing a floor and electrical work, Wheeler said.
“Our restaurant has become a local hub, offering weekday lunch and weekend brunch, with dinner service coming soon,” board member Ben Krabill said.
An east-to-west trail has been established, allowing for navigation through the park, Krabill said. An 18-hole disc golf course has been installed on the 58-acre property.
“Disc golf, which didn’t even exist when the franchise began its operations, now consists of a beautiful course with tee boxes and baskets,” Krabill said. “Participation has increased 300 percent from 2024, expanding from 100 to 400 annual users.”
The organization hopes to install a mini golf course in the future.
Notably, for the first time in 20 years, the city of Port Townsend was awarded a state Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) grant for $350,000 to build a playground on the property.
“This is going to be a small, inclusive playground,” said Melody Sky Weaver, the city’s community services director. “It’s really joyful. We’re excited at working together to have this playground, and again, making this treasured space more accessible for all ages.”
Port Townsend is required to match the grant at $150,000, City Manager John Mauro said.
“We’ve expanded programming for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Krabill said.
Also, the park has welcomed youth programming from cross country meets to YMCA programming, Krabill said.
A partnership with nonprofit Youth on Course has enabled youth younger than 18 to play a round on the nine-hole course for $5.
The organization also has worked to expand open spaces and enhance biodiversity on the property, Krabill said.
Mayor David Faber praised the management of Friends of the Port Townsend Golf Park, saying the organization has turned the park around 180 degrees.
“Very well impressed with all that you’ve been able to do with the space out there,” Faber said. “A couple of years ago, it felt much like the golf course was fairly hostile to anyone who wasn’t part of a fairly small, insular community, that it was just willing to let itself kind of fail and fall apart.”
There were some dicey times in 2023, as the city worked through how management of the space would go moving forward, Faber said. Progress since then has been impressive, he added.
“We’re also implementing a major culture shift,” Krabill said. “As you know, that takes time. Change doesn’t happen overnight, but we’re already hearing wonderful feedback about the enthusiasm, volunteer spirit and welcoming atmosphere experienced by visitors.”
Sky Weaver said that in her 10 1/2 years working for the city, she had never set foot on the course and didn’t see it as a place for her. Since she stepped into her new role, she said her perspective has changed.
“Since I started this role working closely with the friends, with Michael (Todd, the city’s facilities and parks manager) and with our city leadership, I have just been so awed by the possibilities and potential for what this space means to our community,” she said. “I’m deeply appreciative of everyone’s work.”
Krabill said community engagement has expanded.
“Volunteers have collectively contributed more than 12,000 hours of service, a demonstration of the community’s pride and sense of stewardship,” Krabill said.
Friends of the park has hosted an ongoing First Sundays event when the community is invited to walk the course, enjoy live music, play disc golf and try the food at the restaurant. The event makes the driving range free for kids and the PT Corn-Hole Club is present with their namesake’s lawn game.
Mauro said Monday he will move his weekly Friday coffee chats to Coyote & Crow starting in 2026. They will continue from 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. every Friday at Marina Cafe, 2800 Washington St., through the end of the year.
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Reporter Elijah Sussman can be reached by email at elijah.sussman@peninsuladailynews.com.
