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Escambia County Set To Lease Former IP Golf Course For A Park
April 19, 2024
Escambia County is set to lease the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment and develop it into a park.
The golf course has been closed since 2017. Escambia County plans to use the land for disc golf, walking trails, a pavilion, and a playground. The park will be open only during daylight hours.
“I am so excited about the culmination of years of work with our friends at IP. The development of the property is going to be such a great thing for our community,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said. “When I think about the pavilion hosting parties, dozens of people walking around the track, kids playing on the new playground, and a full disc golf course being utilized by constituents, a huge smile comes across my face. I want to thank Hunter Morris, Scott Taylor, and Whitney Fike from IP, as well as Michael Rhodes and Alison Rogers from Escambia County for all their work and persistence to get the job done.”
“International Paper is excited to partner with Escambia County to create a future recreation area, dedicated to enriching community life,” said Whitney Fike, IP regional communications manager. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering health and wellness, and community engagement through the development of this new park. Together, we’re not just transforming land; we’re shaping experiences and enhancing lives, exemplifying our steadfast dedication to being a force for good in the communities we serve.”
Under a proposed lease agreement for, Escambia County would pay a $5,000 lease fee the first year with an annual increase of 5% with the lease reading $6,077.53 by year five.
The Escambia County Commission is set to consider the lease agreement for the property, previously known as the Champion Golf Club, during a meeting on Monday.
Pictured: The former International Paper golf course at the corner of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Courtesy (top) and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
42 Responses to “Escambia County Set To Lease Former IP Golf Course For A Park”
Whoohoo is right! Not sure we need a competitive disc golf but if space permits go for it. How about some cornhole for us old Cantonment seniors. Lots of good ideas! Just hope it doesn’t take too long to get shovels in the ground.
Something to get people wetted down in summer, maybe a large splash pad like the one in Gulf Breeze?
I’m sure County park planning officials will be meeting with residents directly adjacent to the area. The golf area had a greenscape sound barrier which was very sustainable and respectful. I am very excited for a park area focused on community. It is a step forward. Right now all it’s used for is 4 wheelers with mostly underage drivers. I also agree with air quality as the mill has had multiple citations. The county should also consider the traffic which is already using the neighborhood as thoroughfare during long train waits.
DOG PARK… For Licensed, Pure Bred Rottweilers Only…!
Please utilized some of the folks here in town to help design the disc golf course. Flight Factory off Langley has some very knowledgeable people in there.
My main concern is the air quality. How much pollution will be emitted from IP? Will the air quality affect your health over a period of time. I grew up in the area and have always been concern about the air quality in our community. This park will literally be the next door neighbor to IP. The smell alone is more than a notion, yet alone inhaling it. That’s a no thank you for me.
Why can’t the proposed Cantonment Community Center be located here?
YES!!
IP please throttle back on stink and train blocking 29 during rush hour mornings and evenings.
I’ve been asking for this to happen for years! I can’t believe it’s finally happening WOOHOO!!
Please let’s schedule live musical performances from local bands! And I want a place to ride my bike too!
That’s a great idea.
I used to pick up golf balls across the street (hwy29) at the old restaurant that was there when I was a kid. Now I can get frisbees. LOL
Maybe a skate park for us North-end kids?
Lol.
“All this, all that! Shazbat, it’s an everything!”
It’s a lease. IP still owns it. When the plant shuts down, Escambia County might have an in for ownership, but you take your chances with the County Commission, lol
Thank you IP
This is a beautiful and convenient location! Great idea! I hope it all works out in a positive way!
This is much needed! There is no 18 hole disc golf course in Northwest Escambia with longer holes…. The only course is the small 9 hole at 4H Extension, which is not conducive to busy crowds.
Please consider adding pickleball courts. There are currently none available on the North End of the county.
Will the park create jobs? That’s a lot of up-keeping to maintain in a safe and healthy place to enjoy the outdoors.
Would like to have seen the new Baptist hospital built there
Pickleball or Tennis courts would be a great thing to consider as well.
WOW! Something great for the community to enjoy for a change. Plenty of room to expand and have different activities. I hope IP can throttle back on the stink in the summer and other times there isn’t a north wind so folks will spend more time there.
A good splash pad should be considered as well.
Year round heated swimming pool. We have been deprived in Cantonment since Milestone closed.
Need a gym that has basketball courts, fitness center, pickle ball courts, etc.. Everything is far for everybody so what about outside basketball courts and pickle ball courts. Maybe a couple of restaurants that sell healthy meals, snacks and foods after everyone gets done working out.
So, wouldn’t it make more sense to use property you already own – like the 9 mile Road landing field? And why is that gated off with no trespassing signs?
With the rising popularity of pickleball, there is a growing demand for dedicated courts to accommodate players of all skill levels. Building more pickleball courts not only helps meet this demand but also promotes physical activity and social interaction within the community. Providing these facilities will encourage more people to participate in this fun and accessible sport, ultimately leading to a healthier and more connected community. Hope this is a possibility for the IP golf course!
This property has to be used for recreational. Glad to see district 5 is Finally getting a park. About time.
Wow that’s fantastic a new park is always welcome…..but um the location? I’ve smelled that paper mill for some 50 years now and can’t think of a worse place for a park with a pavilion then say Beulah Road near the Perdido landfill. I can’t imagine having an event especially if it’s catered and then all my guests arrive at a beautiful park only to have the smell of the waste ponds from the paper mill waft over them that’s not what I would want but hey one man’s stinking chemical waste ponds must be another’s bouquet of roses.
How about some tennis courts? How about a outside roller hockey rink like they have on Pensacola beach? So glad it’s not gonna be a Publix or Walmart
Recently as my husband and I drove by, we literally said how great that spot would be for a park and disc golf course! So excited for this to be in our community!
Can IP SELL THE 68ACRES to a developer at any time during the lease? $5k for 68 acres? Taxes shoul be higher than that, will the county exempt the tax on the lease
A dog park please!
Pickle ball courts would be great, that is the new popular sport!!!
Its already a traffic nightmare in that area..
Pickleball courts please. It is the fastest growing sport in the nation for all age groups
This is great. Bathrooms for the disc golf course are always needed for the women
There is a park out here,,their goes my dream of having a Wal-Mart Lowes Cvs
Absolutely wonderful news! Very excited about the disc golf aspect. Beautiful property it will be well utilized by Escambia denizens.
I remember my father telling a story where he played a round of golf there at that course with former NFL Player Kenny Stabler.
That southern wind is going to bring such a lovely aroma over the park.
I’d like an archery range, a skeet and trap range, a pistol range, as well as a 1000-yard rifle range.
Tennis courts please. There aren’t any within miles of this proposed park.
This is GREAT! Had been hoping this property would be utilized for something other than a strip mall or store of any kind. This partnership will ensure that generations will be able to have a place for fun and relaxation in the form of physical fitness and other activities. Good job IP for finding a positive use for this piece of property that will be beneficial to all and save our little piece of paradise from becoming the next gas station and/or strip mall. Hopefully they will keep and/or spruce up the Historical marker at the corner of Muscogee and 29. A Waffle House would have been great though…immmmm just sayin
Sounds like a great idea.