CEDAR FALLS - The last putt has already been stroked at Washington Park golf course.

The City Council decided Monday to close the course permanently. The June flood took a heavy toll on the course, destroying the buildings, several greens and fairways and leaving a thick mat of sand on much of the course.

Earlier this month the Cedar Falls Park and Recreation Commission had recommended closure of the course, as they were unable to justify additional investment into the oft-flooded site.

The nine-hole course lies on low ground along the Cedar River and has had to close for flooding at times in most recent years.

What becomes of the land is yet to be determined. Stubbs said the city will look at developing the course as a riverfront park.

"We'll be working through the fall and winter with the commission and staff," said Ward Stubbs, city director of human and leisure services. "I don't know if we'll hire a consultant or not."

Whatever is decided for Washington Park, it is unlikely there will be a heavy investment in buildings or equipment.

"We will have regulations that restrict what we can or can't do with it in the flood plain," Stubbs said.

Already the city's parks department has been hearing from disc golfers who wish to have another course to exercise their frisbee fetish.

Stubbs had said at a previous meeting of the Park and Recreation Commission that a shelter or shelters could be placed on the site.

"I think we'll be open to a lot of ideas," Stubbs said.

The council voted unanimously to close the course.

Contact Jon Ericson

at (319) 291-1461 or

jonathan.ericson@wcfcourier.com.