Gary Opens New Driving Range at South Gleason Park

The city invested $173,000 to add a modern practice facility to the formerly shuttered park site.

Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Golf

Expressive editorial sports illustration of a golfer in motion at a modern driving range, capturing the energy of municipal park development. — The city of Gary has opened a new 14-bay driving range at South Gleason Park, repurposing a portion of the formerly shuttered site. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Gary has officially opened a new driving range at South Gleason Park, marking a new development for the property. The facility includes 14 hitting bays and serves as a major upgrade for local golfers.

Why it matters

The opening follows years of uncertainty for the 100-acre park, which the city originally sought to sell in 2018. Restoring access to the grounds provides a recreational asset for the community while the city evaluates the future of the original golf course.

The new facility features 14 artificial-turf hitting bays and a practice area stretching over 300 yards. Players can utilize a cashless ball dispenser and the AccuRange mobile app for yardage tracking.

The players

South Gleason Park

This is a public recreational facility in Gary, Indiana, that formerly hosted an 18-hole golf course.

Gary

This is a municipal government in Indiana that oversees local parks and recreational development.

The details

The city closed the original 18-hole course in 2018 and subsequently listed the land for sale. The new driving range represents a shift in strategy for the park, offering modern amenities to golfers.

The city listed the property for sale in 2018.
The city held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the range on October 27, 2026.

Season Trajectory

This development marks a pivot from the 2018 closing of the South Gleason Park 18-hole golf course. The project indicates that the city is re-evaluating the recreational utility of the land after previously attempting to offload the 100-acre property.

Golfers can now access 14 hitting bays and real-time yardage tracking via the AccuRange mobile app. Visitors should note the range uses a cashless ball dispenser that requires either a credit or debit card for use.

The takeaway

The new range offers local players a convenient way to practice their swing at a historic site. Residents interested in the future of the property should watch for upcoming discussions between the city and the park board.