May 6, 2026 By Mike Jones 3 min read

The Washington County commissioners are considering paying more than $300,000 to a Michigan-based company to build a miniature golf course at Mingo Creek County Park, although the project could be close to a half-million dollars if the optional “water features” package is included.

Adventure Golf & Sports of Traverse City was one of two companies to submit proposals to construct the mini-golf course with a base package estimate of $318,595.

Adding “water features” to the golf course would cost an extra $131,121, bringing the total package to nearly $449,716, which would be paid for using Act 13 natural gas impact fee money the county receives for drilling on the county park’s property. What the water features would include or whether the commissioners are inclined to add them to the project was unclear.

“That’s their base cost,” county Purchasing Director Randy Vankirk said of the proposal. “That’s their fixed cost.”

The mini-golf course would be built behind the park office. In addition to the course, a 2,000-square-foot building that would rent putters and sell concessions and novelties would also be constructed on the site, along with a parking lot for customers. It was not immediately clear whether those additional amenities were included in the estimated proposal.

During Tuesday’s agenda-setting meeting, Commissioner Larry Maggi questioned the price tag and the need for a miniature golf course at the county park.

“I don’t have anything against putt-putt golf, I just don’t think we need it for the park,” Maggi said.

Maggi has been against the concept of adding a miniature golf course to the county park in Nottingham Township since it was first broached in August. Commissioners Nick Sherman and Electra Janis approved a motion in November – with Maggi casting the dissenting vote – to spend $73,659 for Remington & Vernick Engineers of Ross Township to perform engineering studies at two proposed locations.

After that, the county advertised a request for proposals and apparently received two, including the one from Adventure Golf & Sports. Information on the cost and scope of the other company’s proposal was not immediately available.

During the agenda-setting meeting, Maggi reiterated his earlier thoughts that a miniature golf course would take away from the natural setting of Mingo and cost families money to enjoy the amenity since they would have to rent putters or pay a fee to use the facility.

“My issue is the same as last time,” Maggi said. “We have a beautiful, pristine park and I’m not excited about putting in a business.”

The commissioners will consider approving the proposal at their 10 a.m. meeting Thursday in the public meeting room on the ground floor at the Crossroads Center building in Washington.

If approved, the 18-hole course will be built on a half-acre lot behind the county park office near the Ebenezer Covered Bridge. Each hole would have a different theme touting Washington County’s history that includes the Whiskey Rebellion, courthouse, Pony League and other attractions. Part-time summer workers would help run the site, although other workers would need to man the facility other parts of the year since officials would like to have the course open to the public from spring until fall.