May 31, 2021 | BY AAGD STAFF
In Kansas City, Mo., learning and playing golf just became a little more enticing thanks to the innovation of local resident Chris Harris. Instead of standing idly by and watching the dilapidated houses in ill repair congest the neighborhood, Harris started investing in them, following in his fathers footsteps, buying up entire blocks of properties and turning the eye-sore buildings into beautiful green spaces.
This was the start of a dream for Harris in achieving his goal to bring the golf experience to neighborhoods that never had access before. The sprawling green spaces which he created included a basketball court, a playground and lovely flower beds and more, according to ClubandResortBusiness.com. The golf course he created is free a charming site to the urban are, features nine tee boxes across three greens and offers equipment free for use.
But the redesign of the space at Harris Park in Kansas City, Mo. is generating much more than exposure to the game, it’s actually breaking down barriers of racial segregation in the city’s urban setting.
When Chris Harris first laid the groundwork for his dream of a golf course in a once-blighted section of Kansas City’s Ivanhoe neighborhood, he started out with a corner of property near his house, the Kansas City Star reported. The progress that he attained was amazing, because now, after years of building and fundraising, Harris successfully bought up the entire block.
C+RB reported on the project in May 2019. In the last phase of the construction, in 2020, Harris broke grown near the south end of the golf course and created a 30-by-30-ft. building which was configured for bathrooms and storage space, the Star reported. Continuing at exponential progress, Harris and others are proud of their work and say they are transforming the ‘feel and potential’ of the whole neighborhood. The positive change will bring more opportunity to area dwellers and also be reflected in the overall development of the area with an increase in home prices and property values.
HOW IT ALL STARTED
Harris Park, according to The Star, began over several years with the development of the golf course. Harris even tore down his own home in the middle of the block and secured a position at a nearby golf course. This way, he could increase his knowledge while gaining practical work experience. Impressed by his concept, he gained the support of the PGA.
Harris thinks big believes that having the golf course in the neighborhood is expanding people’s expectations of who the sport is for and reducing hesitancy about what it costs to learn, The Star reported. As a youngster, Harris showed interest in golf but that quickly waned without access or knowing if there was even a place where he would be welcome.
I an interview with C+RB Harris said, “It’s like a stereotype or a boundary that I’m trying to break of saying ‘Hey this is not private, this is public and you can come on out and play.’”
In his perspective, The Star reported that Harris sees the golf course in having more than just one purpose, but several. He sees the course as being accessible to anyone who ‘wants to learn’ and with the development comes the upside of gaining a neighborhood with attractive amenities. His development is driving progress throughout the urban area and growing interest and participation in golf at the same time.
Consider that just within the last year, area home values have increased by 8.6%, according to Greg Fitch, owner of Fitch Appraisals, The Star reported. The change has impacted homes that are within a one-mile radius of the area near the park, where selling prices have soared to more than $220,000.
Without a doubt, Harris’ leap into making golf more accessible to everyone is part of his ongoing community development, with the added benefit of providing use of the course and the equipment for free to anyone who’s interested. And, that now counts into the hundreds of people who have stopped by to enjoy the course– youth, adults, organizations, and others.
When people come to the neighborhood, they leave with a different perspective, Harris told The Star. And it’s given local residents a sense of pride.
According to Harris, “We don’t have to go other places, we can have nice things right here at home.”
read more about Harris at https://clubandresortbusiness.com/kansas-city-mo-course-offers-free-golf-to-break-down-barriers/?spMailingID=44843&puid=623249&E=623249&utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=44843
