NPS now looking to lease golf course without the inn

BUSHKILL — The National Park Service is looking to lease the historic Cliff Park Golf Course.

On May 22 the NPS asked for bidders on 10-year commercial lease of the 9-hole, par 35, course, situated on 45 acres in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area.

Water Gap Superintendent John Donahue said this latest request for proposals replaces the September 2012 request, which included the Cliff Park Inn hotel, bar, restaurant, and golf course as a single entity. The resort has been closed since October 2011.

The NPS did not receive any acceptable proposals for the Cliff Park complex and has rescinded the original request, said Donahue. The new request separates the golf course from the rest of the federally owned property.

The golf course first opened for business in 1913, and has long been a popular destination for golfers.

“This amazing course is a jewel within Pike County," Donahue said. "Its rolling hills surrounded by lush upland forests make it a great place to play a round of golf while enjoying the beautiful scenery in an historic setting."

He said he looks forward to finding a suitable operator and helping them reestablish operations at the course as soon as possible.

Several parties have expressed interest in leasing the golf course without the historic inn, which requires more than $2 million in repairs before the business can be operable. The park has submitted funding requests to make needed repairs on the Cliff Park buildings.

In the meantime, local veterans, under the leadership of Mark Bayliss and the VALOR group, are working to raise the money needed to turn the inn into a residential center for veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. For more information about VALOR, call Baylis at 570-994-5188 or visit www.valorclinic.org.

The request for proposals is posted on the park’s website at www.nps.gov/dewa/parkmgmt/historic-leasing.htm. An inspection tour is scheduled for June 7 at 10 a.m. Interested parties may contact Cindy Branley, leasing program manager, at 570-420-9782 for more information or to make arrangements to attend the inspection tour.

Qualified applicants who can demonstrate the ability to fulfill the requirements of the lease agreement may submit proposals for consideration until July 26.

The property is located at 155 Cliff Park Road in Dingmans Township, just outside of Milford.