Some people in Castle Rock have a new vision for part of the Plum Creek Golf Course.

Numerous Plum Creek area residents have attended council meetings in recent weeks urging the town to purchase a portion of the golf course and convert it into a public park.

The property in question, an approximate 9-acre site, houses the course's pool and tennis courts. Residents said the pool is in poor condition and because the neighborhood lacks a park within walking distance, that would be a better use for the land. Some residents also expressed concerns the area could be developed into more residential housing.

Town Attorney Bob Slentz said the town is in the early stages of considering the idea. Castle Rock conducted an appraisal of the property and council held at least one executive session on the matter, with more executive sessions planned.

Boyd Gordon, a 20-year member of the golf course and neighborhood resident, said many neighbors see a potential sale as “a win-win” for the town and the golf course. He is one of several residents to have attended council meetings to speak on the issue. Money from the acquisition could be put into course maintenance “and would probably assure the long-term survival of the course,” Boyd said.

Councilmember George Teal, who represents the Plum Creek area, said he believes the neighborhood overwhelmingly supports Castle Rock purchasing the property, but that council remains split. He expected a decision on whether or not to pursue a sale might be made this month.

If the town ultimately purchases the land, it could still be years before park programs were up and running, he said.

A preliminary project application, which is a conceptual development plan and not a formal application, was submitted to the town last year that suggests adding 44 single-family lots on the site where the pool and tennis courts now sit.

Slentz said the property is not zoned for residential development and council would have to approve a rezoning application before a housing proposal could be considered.

Boyd said he believes current ownership and management at the golf course have put considerable work into improving the course and are well-respected, but most residents oppose more residential development. Teal, who said he's spoken with the course's ownership, believes the they are open to hearing offers from the town.

“I know there's a lot of interest in the neighborhood to do the right thing by the golf course,” Teal said. “I think there's recognition that those guys are good neighbors.”

Messages for ownership and management at the golf course were not returned.