DeLand Residents Propose Converting Former Golf Course to Park

Concerns raised over plans to build 350 homes on land with history as a dump

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Residents of DeLand, Florida are advocating for the city to convert a former golf course, known as Beresford Reserve, into a public park instead of allowing the construction of over 350 new homes on the land. The area was previously used as a dump for the city, raising concerns about potential environmental hazards from developing the site.

Why it matters

The proposed housing development on the former golf course has sparked debate within the DeLand community, with some residents arguing the land should be preserved as green space rather than turned into a residential area due to the site's history as a former dump.

The details

The Beresford Reserve land was previously used as a golf course, but before that it served as the dump for the city of DeLand. Residents are now concerned about the potential risks and unknown issues that could arise from constructing over 350 homes on land with this history, rather than preserving it as a public park.

  • The Beresford Reserve land was previously used as a golf course.
  • The area was also used as a dump for the city of DeLand before becoming a golf course.

The players

DeLand Residents

Local residents of DeLand, Florida who are advocating for the former golf course land to be converted into a public park rather than developed for housing.

DeLand City Leaders

The city officials and leaders in DeLand who are considering the plans to develop the former golf course land into a 350-home residential area.

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What’s next

The city leaders in DeLand will need to carefully weigh the concerns of residents against the potential benefits of the proposed housing development on the former golf course land.

The takeaway

This debate in DeLand highlights the challenges communities face in balancing development needs with preserving green spaces and addressing potential environmental risks from previous land uses.