Escambia County Set To Lease Former IP Golf Course For A Park

April 19, 2024

Escambia County is set to lease the 68-acre former International Paper golf course in Cantonment and develop it into a park.

The golf course has been closed since 2017. Escambia County plans to use the land for disc golf, walking trails, a pavilion, and a playground. The park will be open only during daylight hours.

“I am so excited about the culmination of years of work with our friends at IP. The development of the property is going to be such a great thing for our community,” District 5 Escambia County Commissioner Steven Barry said. “When I think about the pavilion hosting parties, dozens of people walking around the track, kids playing on the new playground, and a full disc golf course being utilized by constituents, a huge smile comes across my face. I want to thank Hunter Morris, Scott Taylor, and Whitney Fike from IP, as well as Michael Rhodes and Alison Rogers from Escambia County for all their work and persistence to get the job done.”

“International Paper is excited to partner with Escambia County to create a future recreation area, dedicated to enriching community life,” said Whitney Fike, IP regional communications manager. “This collaboration underscores our commitment to fostering health and wellness, and community engagement through the development of this new park. Together, we’re not just transforming land; we’re shaping experiences and enhancing lives, exemplifying our steadfast dedication to being a force for good in the communities we serve.”

Under a proposed lease agreement for, Escambia County would pay a $5,000 lease fee the first year with an annual increase of 5% with the lease reading $6,077.53 by year five.

The Escambia County Commission is set to consider the lease agreement for the property, previously known as the Champion Golf Club, during a meeting on Monday.

Pictured: The former International Paper golf course at the corner of Highway 29 and Muscogee Road in Cantonment. Courtesy (top)  and NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.

Comments

42 Responses to “Escambia County Set To Lease Former IP Golf Course For A Park”

  1. Steve Sanders on April 22nd, 2024 9:02 pm

    Whoohoo is right! Not sure we need a competitive disc golf but if space permits go for it. How about some cornhole for us old Cantonment seniors. Lots of good ideas! Just hope it doesn’t take too long to get shovels in the ground.

  2. Get wet! on April 22nd, 2024 6:26 pm

    Something to get people wetted down in summer, maybe a large splash pad like the one in Gulf Breeze?

  3. Perkflower on April 21st, 2024 1:04 pm

    I’m sure County park planning officials will be meeting with residents directly adjacent to the area. The golf area had a greenscape sound barrier which was very sustainable and respectful. I am very excited for a park area focused on community. It is a step forward. Right now all it’s used for is 4 wheelers with mostly underage drivers. I also agree with air quality as the mill has had multiple citations. The county should also consider the traffic which is already using the neighborhood as thoroughfare during long train waits.

  4. Bill Enfanger on April 20th, 2024 6:48 pm

    DOG PARK… For Licensed, Pure Bred Rottweilers Only…!

  5. Justin Johnson on April 20th, 2024 4:44 pm

    Please utilized some of the folks here in town to help design the disc golf course. Flight Factory off Langley has some very knowledgeable people in there.

  6. SB on April 20th, 2024 12:38 pm

    My main concern is the air quality. How much pollution will be emitted from IP? Will the air quality affect your health over a period of time. I grew up in the area and have always been concern about the air quality in our community. This park will literally be the next door neighbor to IP. The smell alone is more than a notion, yet alone inhaling it. That’s a no thank you for me.

  7. Community Center? on April 20th, 2024 10:49 am

    Why can’t the proposed Cantonment Community Center be located here?

  8. Stnmy on April 19th, 2024 11:56 pm

    YES!!
    IP please throttle back on stink and train blocking 29 during rush hour mornings and evenings.

  9. Marshmallow on April 19th, 2024 11:38 pm

    I’ve been asking for this to happen for years! I can’t believe it’s finally happening WOOHOO!!

    Please let’s schedule live musical performances from local bands! And I want a place to ride my bike too!

  10. cdpjr on April 19th, 2024 10:23 pm

    That’s a great idea.
    I used to pick up golf balls across the street (hwy29) at the old restaurant that was there when I was a kid. Now I can get frisbees. LOL

  11. J-dogg on April 19th, 2024 9:08 pm

    Maybe a skate park for us North-end kids?

  12. Give me a break on April 19th, 2024 7:34 pm

    Lol.

    “All this, all that! Shazbat, it’s an everything!”

    It’s a lease. IP still owns it. When the plant shuts down, Escambia County might have an in for ownership, but you take your chances with the County Commission, lol

  13. Me on April 19th, 2024 7:23 pm

    Thank you IP
    This is a beautiful and convenient location! Great idea! I hope it all works out in a positive way!

  14. RyanS on April 19th, 2024 6:05 pm

    This is much needed! There is no 18 hole disc golf course in Northwest Escambia with longer holes…. The only course is the small 9 hole at 4H Extension, which is not conducive to busy crowds.

  15. Pickler on April 19th, 2024 3:25 pm

    Please consider adding pickleball courts. There are currently none available on the North End of the county.

  16. Spinit on April 19th, 2024 3:08 pm

    Will the park create jobs? That’s a lot of up-keeping to maintain in a safe and healthy place to enjoy the outdoors.

  17. Bill Welch on April 19th, 2024 2:03 pm

    Would like to have seen the new Baptist hospital built there

  18. pickleball! on April 19th, 2024 1:27 pm

    Pickleball or Tennis courts would be a great thing to consider as well.

  19. Rusty Shakleford on April 19th, 2024 1:08 pm

    WOW! Something great for the community to enjoy for a change. Plenty of room to expand and have different activities. I hope IP can throttle back on the stink in the summer and other times there isn’t a north wind so folks will spend more time there.

  20. KD on April 19th, 2024 1:07 pm

    A good splash pad should be considered as well.

  21. Patricia Miller on April 19th, 2024 12:34 pm

    Year round heated swimming pool. We have been deprived in Cantonment since Milestone closed.

  22. Larry King on April 19th, 2024 12:18 pm

    Need a gym that has basketball courts, fitness center, pickle ball courts, etc.. Everything is far for everybody so what about outside basketball courts and pickle ball courts. Maybe a couple of restaurants that sell healthy meals, snacks and foods after everyone gets done working out.

  23. Klem on April 19th, 2024 12:16 pm

    So, wouldn’t it make more sense to use property you already own – like the 9 mile Road landing field? And why is that gated off with no trespassing signs?

  24. Kyle on April 19th, 2024 11:53 am

    With the rising popularity of pickleball, there is a growing demand for dedicated courts to accommodate players of all skill levels. Building more pickleball courts not only helps meet this demand but also promotes physical activity and social interaction within the community. Providing these facilities will encourage more people to participate in this fun and accessible sport, ultimately leading to a healthier and more connected community. Hope this is a possibility for the IP golf course!

  25. Jlb on April 19th, 2024 11:45 am

    This property has to be used for recreational. Glad to see district 5 is Finally getting a park. About time.

  26. Kane on April 19th, 2024 11:23 am

    Wow that’s fantastic a new park is always welcome…..but um the location? I’ve smelled that paper mill for some 50 years now and can’t think of a worse place for a park with a pavilion then say Beulah Road near the Perdido landfill. I can’t imagine having an event especially if it’s catered and then all my guests arrive at a beautiful park only to have the smell of the waste ponds from the paper mill waft over them that’s not what I would want but hey one man’s stinking chemical waste ponds must be another’s bouquet of roses.

  27. Scott on April 19th, 2024 11:13 am

    How about some tennis courts? How about a outside roller hockey rink like they have on Pensacola beach? So glad it’s not gonna be a Publix or Walmart

  28. Haley on April 19th, 2024 11:06 am

    Recently as my husband and I drove by, we literally said how great that spot would be for a park and disc golf course! So excited for this to be in our community!

  29. JJ on April 19th, 2024 10:55 am

    Can IP SELL THE 68ACRES to a developer at any time during the lease? $5k for 68 acres? Taxes shoul be higher than that, will the county exempt the tax on the lease

  30. AB on April 19th, 2024 10:50 am

    A dog park please!

  31. BR on April 19th, 2024 10:45 am

    Pickle ball courts would be great, that is the new popular sport!!!

  32. Steve on April 19th, 2024 10:42 am

    Its already a traffic nightmare in that area..

  33. Laura Pistey on April 19th, 2024 10:19 am

    Pickleball courts please. It is the fastest growing sport in the nation for all age groups

  34. Tom Schoeneberg on April 19th, 2024 10:19 am

    This is great. Bathrooms for the disc golf course are always needed for the women

  35. Deborah Daugherty on April 19th, 2024 10:15 am

    There is a park out here,,their goes my dream of having a Wal-Mart Lowes Cvs

  36. Andrew Jackson on April 19th, 2024 9:44 am

    Absolutely wonderful news! Very excited about the disc golf aspect. Beautiful property it will be well utilized by Escambia denizens.

  37. ts on April 19th, 2024 9:27 am

    I remember my father telling a story where he played a round of golf there at that course with former NFL Player Kenny Stabler.

  38. James on April 19th, 2024 9:22 am

    That southern wind is going to bring such a lovely aroma over the park.

  39. ManglerMalachi on April 19th, 2024 9:21 am

    I’d like an archery range, a skeet and trap range, a pistol range, as well as a 1000-yard rifle range.

  40. Barry on April 19th, 2024 8:20 am

    Tennis courts please. There aren’t any within miles of this proposed park.

  41. BG II on April 19th, 2024 6:25 am

    This is GREAT! Had been hoping this property would be utilized for something other than a strip mall or store of any kind. This partnership will ensure that generations will be able to have a place for fun and relaxation in the form of physical fitness and other activities. Good job IP for finding a positive use for this piece of property that will be beneficial to all and save our little piece of paradise from becoming the next gas station and/or strip mall. Hopefully they will keep and/or spruce up the Historical marker at the corner of Muscogee and 29. A Waffle House would have been great though…immmmm just sayin

  42. Jan on April 19th, 2024 4:22 am

    Sounds like a great idea.