City Manager Weighs In On His Decision To Turn Off Ruth Park Driving Range Lights

Earlier this month, City Manager Lehman Walker made the decision to on the Ruth Park Driving Range in University City.

angered some residents, while others, especially those who live near the range, welcomed it.

 of driving range neighbors and golf enthusiast was formed at Walker's request to look at complaints about the range. The committee recommendations were sent to Walker. A permanent shutdown of the lights was not among the suggestions sent to him. 

Below are four points Mr. Walker provided to University City Patch concerning his decision. He calls the list Driving Range Lighting Issue Facts:

1. The Driving Range Committee made 8 recommendations. I agreed with 7 of them.
2. The net gain in revenue for the driving range is $11,000.
3. 83% of the golfers at Ruth Park are not residents of University City.
4. The lights are intrusive on the residents across the street on Groby Ave. I decided to turn them off pending further study after the city has hired a golf course landscape architect to come up with design and screening solutions.