Master Plans & Studies
Chedoke Golf Course Review
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John Vandriel
Senior Project Manager – Parks Operations
Email: [email protected]
Engage Hamilton
Chedoke Golf Course Review
As Hamilton evolves, grows and responds to climate change, the City is exploring how the Chedoke Golf Course lands can deliver even greater value for residents while maintaining public ownership and continuing golf operations.
The Chedoke Golf Course sits at the base of the Niagara Escarpment, southwest of the downtown in Central Hamilton. The 112-hectare piece of land is comprised of two (2) 18-hole public golf courses: the Beddoe and the Martin, and is known by many in the community as a cherished piece of open space.
The City of Hamilton has owned and operated the Chedoke Golf Course lands for over 100 years and will continue to own these lands in the years to come. In light of evolving community needs, climate resilience objectives, a changing discourse around the way municipal golf course lands are used, and a growing demand for accessible green and recreational spaces, the City wishes to explore a range of feasible future uses for these lands beyond golf as a primary use. This study will:
- Understand what is feasibly possible for this site and identify what would provide the greatest long-term public benefit.
- Explore alternative land uses that could support complimentary public uses alongside existing golf operations; and
- Evaluate alternative land use options:
- Through environmental, social, and economic lenses, with a focus on equity.
- In alignment with existing City-wide strategies and master plans, that are framed around common themes of stewardship of land, recreation and community wellbeing and long term resilience:
- Urban Forest Strategy;
- Biodiversity Action Plan;
- Recreation Master Plan;
- Parks Master Plan;
- Watershed Action Plan; and
- Climate Action Strategy.
- Develop a report, which will include a recommended shortlist of land use alternatives with detailed analysis on the feasibility of each alternative that will be presented to Hamilton City Council.
Project Details
This review study is an important first step in shaping the future of these lands. Its recommendations will help guide future master planning and long-term capital investments for the site.
Much of the infrastructure on the site is aging and in need of upgrade. Before investing in those upgrades, this study will help ensure that the City is making investments to support the long-term future of the site.
Establishing what feasibility means for this study is important when understanding what the scope of work and study parameters are about. Feasibility in the context of this study will be framed around:
Chedoke Golf Course Review
This study is one step in the journey of future changes to this site. The timeline below highlights the key milestones of work that have been conducted and will be undertaken for this site in the coming years.
Timeline - Long Term Site as a Whole
Market Analysis of CIty's Golf Courses (2024) - Complete - ECS Presentation September 19, 2024
- Comprehensive review of Hamilton's municipal golf courses, including:
- financial review;
- usership data;
- environmental management.
- Municipal scan of emerging trends in the industry.
- Overview of parkland / open space needs.
Land Use Feasibility Review (2026-2027) - Current
- Generate a shortlist of alternative land uses and determine their feasibilty.
- Used to inform future decision making, master planning, and capital project implementation.
Master Planning (beyond 2027)
- Blueprint' direction for site-wide changes.
- High-level conceptual plan, showing location of proposed elements.
- Phasing and implementation plan.
- High level supporting studies.
Capital Project Implementation (beyond 2027)
- Specific projects that come out of the Master Plan.
- Detailed budgeting.
- Detailed design and construction of elements, when funding becomes available.
Timeline - Land Use Review Study (current study)
Background Review / Information Gathering (May to September 2026)
- Analyze existing conditions, land use policy framework.
- Prepare preliminary report and analysis.
- Engage with Indigenous rights holders, key partners and community
Strategic Direction (August to October 2026)
- Develop and refine vision, goals and guiding principles.
- Provide partners and community with a progress update.
Evaluation of Shortlisted Alternative Land Uses (October to November 2026)
- Develop a prioritized shortlist of alternative land uses.
- Evaluate the shortlist based on developed criteria to determine their feasibility.
Report and Recommendations (November 2026 to February 2027)
- Develop a final report to inform long term planning of the site.
- Present report findings and recommendation to Council.
Chedoke Golf Course Review
Frequently Asked Questions
The City is conducting a feasibility study to explore how the Chedoke Golf Course lands could support additional community and environmental uses alongside existing golf operations. It will help the City identify opportunities to add community and environmental benefits and make informed decisions about future upgrades and investments.
No. No immediate changes are planned. This study will explore future options and help guide decisions for future planning.
No. City Council has confirmed that the Chedoke Golf Course lands will remain publicly owned and will not be sold or privatized.
As Hamilton grows, the City wants to make sure public lands meet community needs and support environmental goals. This study will help identify the best long-term future for the site.
The study will explore options such as enhanced greenspace, natural area restoration, biodiversity improvements, stormwater management, and potential community-focused uses like urban agriculture. These uses could be incorporated into a redesigned space for golf or programmed alongside golf as use on the site. There are many ways to achieve the environmentally focused goals of this study, including creative approaches to future designs that can allow for multiple uses.
Any future decisions will be made by City Council, informed by this study, technical analysis, City strategies and input from the public, Indigenous communities and environmental partner agencies.
Public participation is important to the success of this project. At this stage, there will be opportunities to participate through a survey, site walking tours and storyboard mapping. Visit Engage Hamilton to participate and receive updates about the study’s progress.
Indigenous communities will be invited to participate in the study. The City recognizes that each nation (Haudenosaunee, Mississaugas of the Credit, Erie, Neutral and Huron-Wendat) has different interests and preferred ways of engaging. Staff will work directly with them to determine how they would like to be involved. Their input will help inform the study and future planning decisions.
Environmental considerations are a key focus. The City will work with partners and agencies such as the Niagara Escarpment Commission, Hamilton Conservation Authority and local environmental organizations to assess impacts and opportunities.
The study findings are expected to be presented to City Council in early 2027. No decisions have been made yet. Any future plans or changes to the site would be considered by Council through a separate public process.
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