The Compatibility Of Golf Courses And Landfills

Fred Rux, Woolpert, Inc.

With golf's current rapid growth in popularity and the corresponding increase in new golf course development, challenges to both golf course development and operations have also been growing. With much of the easily developable land near population centers already in residential, commercial, or industrial land use, is there an alternative?

Finding suitably-sized parcels within a golf market is a major challenge when looking at the development of a golf course. In addition, more golf course developments and golf course developers are developing in more environmentally sensitive areas. Is there an alternative to these challenges? Yes, landfills.

Environmental concerns are one of the greatest, if not the greatest, constraints when developing a golf course. The USGA and the American Society of Golf Course Architects have taken a proactive position in publicizing the need for golf courses to be designed in more environmentally friendly Ways.

They cite as models such golf courses as Santa Clara Golf & Tennis Club, a 160acre course in Santa Clara, California, built on top of a former landfill.

Or we might look at TPC at Eagle Trace. It has been stated by some enthusiasts of the game of golf that the surest way to keep America beautiful is to build more golf courses. And anyone who doesn't believe that should visit the Tournament Players Club at Eagle Trace in Broward County, Florida. It wasn't that many years ago that the property for TPC at Eagle Trace was a landfill for the nearby city of Coral Gables. Today, that property is one of the best conditioned golf courses in the state of Florida, bordered by elegant homes, many of which could not be purchased for less than $1 million.

Not all golf courses built on landfills fall into the same category as these two examples, but they are used as examples of what type golf course can- be built on a landfill, given the right location and adequate funding.

Maximum benefits are obtained when comprehensive planning takes place before operation of the landfill begins. There are many successful examples of such preplanning.

Riverview, Michigan sited a landfill in 1968 with the intent of using it for recreation. The landfill is now central to a development that boasts a cluster of $300,000 to $500,000 homes, a golf curse, condominiums in the $150,000 to $200,000 range and other single-family homes.

Palm Beach County, Florida developed an end use plan for its Recovery Facility based upon the Authority's concern for public benefit. This process began well in advance of site development. The consultants to the Authority met numerous times to discuss the opportunities and constraints for use of the site. Palm Beach County Parks and Recreation staff added information as to recreation needs and desires in the immediate area. .

With the economic and environmental conditions present in the country, the development of a golf course, especially one on a landfill, has become a complex process involving a substantial investment of time and money. The goal for any golf course is to provide an enjoyable recreational facility that will be environmentally sound and can be successfully operated. To achieve this goal, the golf course will have to be carefully designed, properly constructed, and properly managed.

Prior to getting underway with the planning and design of a golf course, it is necessary to understand the existing conditions of the area and the specific site. Whether the golf course is to be a facility by itself, or part of a larger project, one must again a clear understanding of the site on which the course is to be built and formulate an approach to the development process. In order to accomplish this, a team of experienced professionals should be assembled.

During the preliminary planning stage of a golf course on a landfill, there is an aspect essential to its success: develop an active public information program to explain what makes a golf course on a landfill work well and what benefits can be expected. Public acceptance of a golf course on a landfill site is often one of the most, if not the most, important factors in a successful golf course on a landfill. When a landfill is well planned, an architectural rendering or a model of the proposed project as a park, playground, golf course, or other planned use, is a good public relations tool.

At Renaissance Park in Charlotte, through the master planning process, design development, and construction, there was an extensive public information program. Throughout this process, residents were kept informed about its progress through public meetings, television, radio, and newspaper articles. In addition, a 3-D model of the park was constructed and displayed at various locations and functions, including Springfest (a community festival that draws more than 200,000 people annually).

Yes, golf courses and landfills are compatible. But we must be proactive in public relations to ensure their success.

In general, there are four major problems associated with developing a golf course on a landfill:

* Methane Gas

* Leachate

* Settling

* Drainage

Methane Gas. When organic material decomposes, -the natural byproduct ~ is methane gas. Not only can it kill golf grasses, it can even explode. Therefore, the methane gas must be managed by vent pipes in and around the golf course. In some situations, a methane-recovery system may be necessary, in which a series of wells and pipelines transport the gas to a recovery facility. Since certain parts of a landfill may be more active than others, several methods may be required.

Leachate may be defined as a liquid that has percolated through solid waste and has extracted dissolved or suspended, materials from it. In most landfills, the liquid portion of the leachate is composed from the decomposition of the wastes and liquid that have entered the landfill from external sources, such as surface drainage, rainfall, groundwater, and water from underground springs. Another major external source of water on a golf course is the irrigation system. The most proximate potential contamination source will be downward infiltration through the soil zone into the landfill. If this leachate passes through the landfill and reaches a stream, lake, or subsurface water table, it may well act as a contaminant.

Settling is the slight movement of the land as waste settles or the organic material decomposes. There is usually some settling on all golf courses; however, it is more noticeable and critical on landfills and has an impact on the location of various components of the golf course.

Drainage is mostly concerned with runoff from rains and that amount of water applied with the golf course irrigation system, that must be controlled. Drainage/run-off could involve the development of an underground drainage system if adequate cover is available; the use of a wet detention system such as lakes, ponds, swales, etc., that could be designed to discharge either directly into receiving water; or if further enhancement of water quality is desired, discharge water could be routed through artificial/man-made wetland prior to entering the receiving waters.

Why would you want to use a landfill for a golf course with the previously mentioned problems and the other complexities associated with building a golf course?

Landfill golf courses are desirable alternatives because of the economic benefits inherent with that land parcel. What are some of these benefits?

• Location

• Land Cost

• Green space

• Revenue Generator

Location. When first sited, many landfills were in the middle of nowhere, away from as much development as possible. As the years have gone by, development has surrounded many of these landfills. The result: significant parcels of land are now available for re-use within a golf market area.

Land Cost. Land acquisition costs are usually not a factor in the development of a landfill golf course. A community or some governmental entity already owns the land. For example, the 350-acre Renaissance Park site, where some of you played golf yesterday, would have cost approximately $35,000 an acre, based on its location. Although generally speaking, landfills are more expensive to build on than traditional land parcels, many individuals feel that the savings on the land offset the higher construction and long-term maintenance costs.

Green Space. Although not a documentable tangible benefit,.-there is significant intangible benefit to be received. Most landfills are viewed as a negative in a community. By returning a vegetated completed landfill as useable active or passive recreation space, you create addition open/green space and develop better/positive community relations. A golf course on a landfill will put land that would otherwise be undeveloped into permanent open space/green space. A golf course developed on a landfill can be used to enhance wildlife habitats as well as to encourage participation in conservation programs, to increase recognition of golf courses as important open/green space, and to educate the public and golfing community on the benefits of golf courses and the role they play relative to environment and wildlife.

Revenue Generator. Landfill golf course developments are unique design projects because of their tremendous potential not only as revenue producers, but as positive solutions to environmental concerns.

It does cost more to build a golf course on a landfill, as much as 20 percent or more. However, the savings in land costs normally offset the higher construction costs. In addition, long-term maintenance will possibly be higher, due to the unpredictability of a landfill site.

What Are Some of the Alternatives in Reclaiming a Landfill for A Golf Course?

Are there any alternatives to reducing the landfill closure costs, which can approach $100,000 per acre? One way is through prudent initial design and alternative end use such as a golf course. Other alternatives to closure are recycling, burning, and relocation of the landfill.

As golf's popularity continues to climb, increased - environmental awareness reflected in responsible golf course design will meet both consumer demand and prove an asset to the community. A golf course offers an excellent opportunity to provide a recreational activity, maintain open space, and preserve the visual quality of the landscape. A golf course on a landfill has even greater positive impact. The development of a golf course that produces these benefits is a complex process that involves proper planning and design, construction, and management.

As has been shown in various parts of the country, it is possible to develop and operate a golf course on a landfill.

Are golf courses and landfills compatible? Not only yes, but absolutely yes.