Council approves MOU with Friends of the Park to fund Murphy Park miniature golf improvements

The Taylor City Council unanimously approved an MOU on April 23 with the Friends of the Park Foundation to support improvements to the Murphy Park miniature golf course.

Parks staff described the project’s history: the 1970s‑era course fell into disrepair after the original volunteer operator left, and city crews and community volunteers reopened most holes in May 2025 after cleanup work. The MOU would allow the foundation to raise supplemental funds for specific improvements — new turf, shade structures, lighting, signage and restoration of the missing 18th hole — while the city retains ownership and is responsible for ongoing maintenance.

A foundation representative told council the group intends to keep the amenity free, raise funds quickly (one to two years) to cover immediate needs and then close out or transfer responsibilities to future groups, rather than run the facility long term. The representative said the foundation will avoid naming or sponsorship programs and will focus on small, community‑focused improvements.

Councilman Redden moved to approve the MOU; the motion was seconded and passed 5–0. Council members praised the proposal as a low‑risk way to bring private dollars to a city‑owned amenity and asked staff to coordinate final project lists and any signage or donor recognition rules under city policy.