Melrosians Praise Mt. Hood Golf Management, But Seek Park Improvements

Melrose Park Commission officials sought feedback from residents about their experiences with Golf Management Company (GMC) during their regularly scheduled meeting Monday night. GMC oversees all administrative operations at Mount Hood Memorial Park and their contract is pending renewal at the end of this year. 

Park Commission Chairman Mike Interbartolo said that the Commission has three options: renew the existing agreement with GMC; put out a request for proposals from other contractors; or have the city manage the park and golf course. Residents at Monday's meeting were particularly pleased with the way the golf course has been managed with many golfers claiming that the course was the best public course within the Greater Boston area.

"It's a real pleasure to play at Mount Hood now," said Melrose resident George Robinson. "I play here now and it's a blessing." Robinson said he previously avoided the course when it was managed by the city.

Aside from restoring some of the tee boxes and improving the maintenance of sand traps, most resident concerns focused on improving park maintenance and use — both of which are responsibilities of GMC.

Myron Dittmer, president of the Mount Hood Park Association, said he was particularly frustrated that the contract with GMC was not widely accessible.

"I'm not a golfer and I need to understand what the contract is trying to do," Dittmer said, adding that GMC was doing a good job with maintaining the golf course, but he was not sure what other responsibilities the company had agreed to provide in the contract.

Interbartolo said the contract was available for public viewing at City Hall and the Melrose Public Library.

Dittmer advocated for several improvements, including vandal-proof benches and picnic tables; increased security during off-peak hours; and providing more signage throughout the park. Other residents suggested that the park could use additional handicapped parking, increasing the number of recycling bins and trash bins, and using the park for winter sports when golf is not in season. One resident wanted to see park officials offer ski lessons for children.

Interbartolo said that the Park Commission spends at least $50,000 per year on capital improvements.  

"We've exceeded that amount every year for the past eight years," Interbartolo said.

Past capital improvement projects include installing air conditioning units and a heating system to the clubhouse, as well as improving irrigation systems throughout the park.

At the next Park Commission meeting on Monday, Aug. 9, Interbartolo said that the Commission will evaluate GMC services. Based on that meeting, GMC will respond to resident requests and the Commission will vote in September to determine if they will retain the company's services.