Commissioners scuttle mini-golf plans at Mingo Creek Park
Community backlash led to decision to reject bids
The Washington County commissioners scuttled plans to build a miniature golf course at Mingo Creek County Park after backlash from residents this week prompted the board to reverse course on an earlier motion that would have extended a review of the proposed attraction.
The commissioners voted unanimously Thursday to reject all bids for the mini-golf course and indicated they have no plans of revisiting it following widespread criticism from people who feared it would take away from the park’s rustic charm.
The vote was in contrast to what was discussed at Tuesday’s workshop meeting when the commissioners showed interest in extending a review of one of the construction bids by 30 days. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis said at that meeting they wanted to be able to have more discussions and review the project further, while Commissioner Larry Maggi questioned why they were still debating the matter after tabling the original proposal during their May 7 voting meeting.
But soon after Tuesday’s workshop meeting, the county offices were inundated with phone calls and emails from people demanding the commissioners backtrack on that decision. By Wednesday morning, the agenda had been updated with a new motion in which the commissioners would vote to reject all bids they had received to build the putt-putt course.
“I know sometimes democracy is rocky and ugly and cluttered, but it works when people speak up and your elected officials listen,” Maggi said following the unanimous vote to reject the two bids the county had received.
He called Mingo in Nottingham Township one of the “crown jewels” of Southwestern Pennsylvania, which is why he did not want a miniature golf course at the park that would be charging fees to visitors to use.
Several residents attended Thursday’s meeting with the intention of speaking out against the mini-golf course, but changed their comments upon learning the agenda had been changed and the bids were to be rejected.
“I love the simplicity of that park and I hope that you keep the integrity of that park as long as you can,” said Lynne O’Bradovich of Carroll Township.
Roger Shaw of South Strabane said he would like to see money funneled to improve the park in other ways, such as a nature center with information on programs, along with an in-house ecologist or biologist to work at all three county parks.
“If there is money available for a miniature golf course, maybe you would consider (more options) to keep the park for our kids and our grandkids.”
The county approved a study on the project last November, paying $73,659 for Remington & Vernick Engineers of Ross Township to perform engineering reviews on two possible locations for the amenity. The county received two proposals, and the commissioners considered a $318,595 estimate from Michigan-based Adventure Golf & Sports, which was ultimately tabled two months ago before being formally rejected Thursday.
The commissioners also unanimously approved advertising of bids for site design and engineering for an ADA accessible dog park at Mingo that would be paid for using oil and gas funds. The park already has a dog run within its boundaries, but it’s located high atop a hill and is not easy for people with limited mobility to access.
Also during the meeting, the commissioners approved two more grants from the county’s opioid settlement fund. Residential and Commercial Investment LLC will receive $20,000 for a part-time staff member to service the Elizabeth House recovery house, while Turning Point of Washington is getting $17,542 to help with an emergency kitchen restoration.