Adventure Golf is one step closer to landing in Tilgate Park after Crawley Borough Council’s Cabinet approved the proposal on Wednesday (5 September).
Glendale Golf plans to create a Wild Forest-themed 18-hole ‘mini golf’ attraction between the golf centre car park and Tilgate Lake, adding another fun, family-oriented activity to an already exciting park.
The Adventure Golf facility would be unique to Crawley and has the potential to pull in more visitors from surrounding areas, financially benefitting the town.
The modern take on ‘mini golf’ would utilise the park’s natural landscape, retaining as much woodland as possible. There are plenty of ‘forest’ style obstacles and features planned for the course, with a waterfall and stream, crossable by raft, set to run through the middle of it.
The proposal hopes to create boardwalk-style entrance walkways, providing better links between the golf course and Tilgate Park. Along with the 18-hole course, a timber cabin style kiosk, providing equipment rentals, refreshments and toilet facilities, is planned.
If Adventure Golf is installed it will bring the following benefits:
- Additional opportunity for families to get outdoors and keep active in Crawley
- Provides an ideal introduction to golf through a fun leisure activity
- It’s quick and easy to play and accessible to all
- Improvements to the existing golf centre car park, creating 40 additional spaces.
Adventure Golf would prove to be a valuable asset to the council and Crawley residents, with a percentage of generated income helping to pay for and improve local services.
Over the last decade, interest in golf has steadily declined, the bid will help Glendale Golf broaden its target market, increase participation in the sport, community engagement and general usage of its facilities.
Councillor Chris Mullins, Cabinet member for Wellbeing, said: “I’m pleased that we are backing Adventure Golf in Tilgate Park. The golfing attraction will be great for residents to enjoy, especially during school holidays, and it will help the council pay for local services.
“I’m encouraged by Glendale’s proposed Wild Forest theme; it will help to minimise damage to trees on the site, it’s in keeping with the surrounding woodland and fits in with Tilgate Park’s overall aesthetic.”
The proposal is currently subject to planning permission, and has been specifically designed to incorporate wheelchair access and to improve playability for the physically impaired, making the attraction Disability Discrimination Act compliant.
Prior to Cabinet approval, a consultation has been carried out with The Friends of Tilgate Park, Tilgate Forest Golf Club Committee and Tilgate Forum. In addition to this, design boards have been on public display within the golf centre; to date more than 80 members of public have been involved, with feedback being predominantly positive.
