Living History and Open Green Space for Everyone!

Renowned golf course designer Donald Ross created a beautiful golf course eighty years ago and it is enjoyed by thousands of people of different races, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. Rackham Golf Course has become an admired and vital part of the Huntington Woods community especially since it comprises 17% of all the land in our City.

The City of Detroit owns the course and is struggling with a very difficult financial situation. Initially, the Detroit City administration wanted to sell Rackham for residential and commercial development. We thought that would have been be a terrible mistake since development of this beautiful land would have destroyed a piece of history and negatively altered the character of Huntington Woods.

That’s why the City of Huntington Woods fought to save Rackham.

Recent Notes

On October 15, 2008, the City of Detroit filed an Application for Leave to the Michigan Supreme Court. The Michigan Supreme Court let stand the Michigan Court of Appeals ruling that prevents the City of Detroit from selling Rackham Golf Course to a housing developer. The ruling means Huntington Woods, which sued in 2006, has won the case.

On July 15, 2008, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled (3-0) the City of Detroit could sell Rackham only to another public entity and the property has to remain a public golf course.

The Huntington Woods City Commission voted 3-1 on June 19, 2007 to offer the City of Detroit $6 million to purchase Rackham. Detroit residents would receive residental discounts on greens and cart rental fees. The offer was not accepted by Detroit officials and it expired.

On October 15, 2008, the City of Detroit filed an Application for Leave to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Special Rackham millage vote

February 27, 2007:

YES - 1,684 (90.25%)

NO - 182 (9.75%)

Total votes: 1,866 (38% registered voters)

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The support of 90% of Huntington Woods voters sent a crystal clear message that we want to save Rackham!

The Huntington Woods City Commission established the Rackham Historic District on November 21, 2006.

Thank you Detroit City Council members Shelia Cockrel, Brenda Jones, Kwame Kenyatta and JoAnn Watson for voting to save Rackham on November 17, 2006.

Click on the
Final Report - Historic District Study Committee - Rackham Golf Course This fascinating document is thoroughly researched and written by the Huntington Woods Historic District Study Committee. The report is easy to read and contains interesting facts, color photographs of all the buildings on the grounds and quotes from some famous people.

We Remember Maryann Mahaffey
“It is with profound love for Detroit that I am happy to accept the opportunity to express my deep appreciation to Mr. Horace Rackham for his gift of the Rackham Golf Course to the City of Detroit over 65 years ago.

Mr. Rackham’s foresight in ensuring that the ‘common’ people of our City would also have a place to enjoy the sport he loved so well was the basis of this exceptional gift."
Detroit City Council President
Maryann Mahaffey
July 21, 1990