STOCKTON (California) — On Friday, a fire broke out at the closed Van Buskirk Golf Course located in south Stockton.
Around 2 pm, firefighters from the locality battled a grass fire near Van Buskirk Community Center. This is located across the street of Conway Homes.
As fire crews battled to control the blaze, smoke plumes could easily be seen from Lathrop. The exact number of acres that the fire has consumed is unknown.
The former municipal course, which closed in 2004, is located between Houston Avenue, the levees along the San Joaquin River, and French Camp Slough.
The former Van Buskirk Golf Course in South Stockton is engulfed by a grass fire that has spread over several acres. The 214-acre site has been idle ever since the city closed the golf course in 2019. Clifford Oto/Stockton Record/USA Today Network
In June 2022, a grass fire had previously destroyed the area.
The public was able to enjoy the golf course for more than 60 years before it closed its doors in 2019. The classic Larry Norstrom-designed golf course was constructed in 1960. Since the Van Buskirks decided to donate the 214-acre land to the city on the condition that it be used only for recreation, the property has been surrounded by a chain link fence.
Stockton City Council, after years of planning and holding community meetings on the topic of reimagining Van Buskirk park, approved a masterplan for the property during its meeting of January 24. Stockton City Council approved a master plan for the property on Jan. 24. The layout proposed includes a BMX course, disc golf, skatepark, splash pad, and community garden.
The city officials have not given a date of completion for the project.
Hannah Workman, a reporter for the Record, covers Stockton and San Joaquin County. She can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @byhannahworkman. Support local news, subscribe to The Stockton Record at recordnet.com/subscribenow.
