Friends of Fort Ridgely group suspends operations
The Friends of Fort Ridgely group has voted to suspend operations. The group was unsuccessful in its efforts to save the Fort Ridgely State Park golf course. (Submitted)FAIRFAX — Unsuccessful in its efforts to save the Fort Ridgely State Park golf course, the Friends of Fort Ridgely group has voted to suspend operations as a citizens group in support of the park.
John Fritsche, president, announced the decision in a statement released Tuesday. Members voted to suspend operations at the group's annual meeting in November.
The decision came with "deep regret,'' Fritsche stated, and with apparent frustration. The president said the group felt that its relationship with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources was "untenable.'' The group believed that some staff members with the DNR did not want to work with the friends.
The Friends had negotiated an agreement to keep the course open, but it required that a local government accept responsibility for the course. The Fairfax City Council voted not to accept the role.
Fritsche said the state had invested $2.1 million to renovate the course a few years ago, and that it represented a recreational asset worth several million to the area.
The Friends group hopes to reactivate the organization at a future date.
