A proposal to spend $8.5 million to build a miniature golf course in Micke Grove Regional Park teed off some members of the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

Supervisor Steven Ding, whose district includes the park, said the estimated price tag is substantially higher than the cost of running the zoo next door, which “looks like crap.”

The debate came up during an hourslong discussion about the county’s $3.3 billion budget, which increased by $258 million. The discourse raised issues about whether parks are neglected or underfunded — and the financial pain it takes to restore them.

Micke Grove is an expansive 132-acre park in Lodi that includes the zoo, a lake and a Japanese garden. It once had a small amusement park next to the zoo, but the attraction fell into disrepair and closed in 2020. The county proposed replacing it with an 18-hole miniature golf course in 2023.

An initial $1.3 million approved for the makeover that year grew to $3.5 million in the current fiscal year. But the new budget shows the price has now ballooned to $8.5 million. County staff said they were flabbergasted by the increase.

“I share the same sticker shock,” Deputy County Administrator Josh Branco said in trying to explain the inflated cost.

A clubhouse for the proposed attraction that would include storage space, an employee break room and a concession stand is estimated at $1 million alone. Construction costs are pegged at $5.8 million. Much of the remainder is for contractors’ fees, Branco said.

The project has not yet come before the board for approval, and Branco said cheaper alternatives can be considered.

Supervisor Mario Gardea questioned the estimated costs and dangled the idea of delaying the plan.

Gardea said that building the course plus operating the zoo — a combined $12 million expense — would be “a big hit” to the county budget.

Still, he left the door open, adding: “I’m not saying it’s not needed.”

Ding said while parks are not meant to raise revenue, he shared concerns about the estimated cost.

“I was trying to figure out how come 18 holes cost more than redoing the zoo,” he said. “I need to be able to explain why does a miniature golf course cost $8.5 million (and the) zoo that I get complaints about every week because it looks like crap” costs around $3 million.

There’s been “years and years of no attention out there,” Ding said, and upgrading the park’s attractions could be important for local tourism, given its proximity to Lodi’s wine country.

Indeed, the zoo gets mixed marks on internet ratings sites. While there are plenty of four- and five-star notations on Yelp, there are also scathing reviews.

One out-of-town visitor said he used to come to the zoo a decade ago when he lived nearby. But a recent trip left him cold.

“What an utter and complete disappointment,” the reviewer, Wade C., wrote. He said two-thirds of the habitats were empty, “not full of shy animals, but completely void of any animals whatsoever.” And, he noted, “The grounds were very unkempt.”

Even locals have complained about the conditions. Tee M., a Stockton resident, said the zoo is “extremely run down.”

“Absolutely nothing has been maintained or updated in over 20 years!!” the comments read.

At the meeting, Supervisor Paul Canepa said that cutting corners on park improvements will backfire. He called parks “a quality of life issue” and said not spending money on renovations or remodeling can lead to a lack of public spaces that residents feel are safe, clean places to have fun.

“It’s a big investment, but I think it’s something that’s going to be worth it and that we could be proud of,” he said.