Regents OK Exchange For Felch Park

Regents OK Exchange For Felch Park

City Will Gain 50 Acres Of Old Golf Club In Transaction

Saturday September 25, 1948

Proposed exchange of about 50 acres of the former Huron Hills Golf Club property for the city two and one half acre Felch Park received approval yesterday from the University Regents.

The City Council approved the suggested trade earlier this week. 

Next step is the purchase of the Huron Hills property by the University from private owners under an option previously obtained. Terms of the option have not been disclosed.

Besides the land, the city is to receive $10,000 toward cost of putting the property into shape for a nine hold municipal golf course.

Plans announced Monday

Plans of University administrators for the erection of an adult education center at Felch Park were announced Monday. 

Final actions on those plans cannot be taken by the Regents until the transaction is completed and a legislative appropriation is made, a University official said. 

The proposed adult education center would provide complete facilities including dining and sleeping quarters as well as meeting rooms, for persons attending conferences and short courses. It would not be used to house other persons, according to a University spokesman.

Most of 'Lower Nine'

The Huron Hills property which the city would receive consists of the most so-called "lower nine" of the former Huron Hills Golf Club course. About 40 acres of the area is north of Huron River Dr. and the remaining 10 acres is south of the drive. 

Present owners of the golf area are Mr. and Mrs. Carroll A. Benz of Ann Arbor. 

Felch Park has been owned by the city since 1891. It is bounded by East Huron, Fletcher, and E. Washington Sts. and Park Terrace. 

Deeds under which the city acquired Felch Park property restrict use of the land to public purposes, according to city and University officials.