A long-awaited junior golf course on unused land at Dyker Beach Park is on schedule for completion and will be ready for play by next June.
The $3-million construction project, which will result in a six-hole course and a nine-bay driving range, is already finished except for some fencing and completion of the clubhouse, said David Rivel, executive director of the City Parks Foundation.
“We are very happy about how the work came out,” he told Community Board 10 on Monday night. “We think the contractor did a very good job, and we are very happy with the progress.”
Even better news: golf will be free for kids 5–17 who are accompanied by a parent or guardian and have registered to use the facility.
To achieve that goal, the Parks Foundation is trying to raise an additional $4 million for an endowment, but is still short, Rivel said.
Construction of the center was underwritten with $1.5 million from the city and $500,000 from the state legislature.
Despite all the good news, there was some concern about the location of the entrance of the facility — the already dangerous intersection of 14th Avenue, Poly Place and Cropsey Avenue.
“I am glad we have a place for the kids, but I pray everyday that no one gets hurt crossing that street because it is a dangerous place to cross for the kids,” said one resident.
Rivel said the Parks Foundation had already implimented safety recommendations adopted by the community last year, including the elimination of a sharp, blind turn.
Rivel said the Department of Transportation will reassess the situation once the center is open and may explore changing traffic patterns further.
