A group of Logan County business leaders is trying to persuade either city or county government to purchase a local golf course so it can be turned into a public park.

Charlie Ray, a partner with the Russellville-based real estate company Jesse L. Riley & Son, said Rolling Hills Golf Course in Russellville is for sale, and he thinks the property would be a good location for a park.

Ray said he wants a new park in Russellville to improve the area’s quality of life.

“I’ve just seen a boom of people moving outside the county. Our quality of life just isn’t there,” he said.

According to Ray, a large portion of Logan County’s workforce lives outside the county.

“We’re losing people,” he said. “It’s easy to live in Bowling Green and work in Logan County.”

Ray himself is a Logan County transplant who lives in Bowling Green despite his business being located in Russellville.

“If we don’t do something to improve quality of life, it’s going to keep going the way it has been,” he said.

Brian Shirley with Arnold Consulting Engineering Services drew up plans for a 70-acre park that could potentially be built on about half of the golf course property. According to Shirley, the plan as it currently exists calls for the park to be built on nine of the golf course’s 18 holes, meaning golfers in the area would still have access to a nine-hole course.

According to Ray, the proposed plans include a disc golf course, baseball fields, tennis and volleyball courts and a splash park.

“This is not in stone,” he said. “These are suggested amenities.”

Ray said the idea is for the park to include features that will appeal to people throughout the community, adding that he thinks the desire for another park is widespread.

“I think the support is there for the community at large,” he said. “I know it is for the business community.”

Ray said his efforts have mainly been focused on convincing the county to commission a feasibility study on the project, adding that he wants to present the idea to Logan County Fiscal Court either in late January or in February.

“We’re just trying to get them to do a feasibility study and take this serious,” he said.

Judge-Executive Logan Chick said he’s only spoken about the idea with representatives of Ray’s group in an unofficial capacity.

Chick refrained from commenting on the plan until it’s officially presented to fiscal court, but he noted there would be a cost associated with any feasibility study.

“I don’t want to say I’m negative, but everything’s got a cost,” he said.

Warren County Parks and Recreation Director Chris Kummer has met with representatives of Ray’s group and has taken on something of an advisory role.

“We kind of gave them some general information. Public engagement is very important in trying to secure a public park,” he said. “I think as communities grow and change, I think local groups coming together can … foster something beneficial to all citizens.”

Kummer said he’s taken the time to help the group because he considers an improvement in Logan County’s quality of life to be a benefit for the entire region.

He also said he considers the installation of a new park to be a good way to improve quality of life by providing another means for people to stay active and relieve stress.

“When you talk about quality of life, you’re looking at physical things like how we keep our communities healthier, and there’s a social aspect to it,” he said. “It can draw people together, give people a chance to relax and escape stress. It’s a real opportunity for people to live happier, healthier lives.”