Bird Concerns Raised About Brooklyn Center Topgolf

In the sport of golf birdies and eagles are a good thing. But when it comes to Topgolf in Brooklyn Center, some area residents are worried about real birds getting tangled up and injured in the massive netting that surrounds the facility.

Topgolf, which opens in October, claims that birds are not in danger and that its golf barrier netting is the same kind used for aviary purposes.

“It’s used on buildings to keep birds from becoming a nuisance,” said Meg Beekman, Brooklyn Center’s community development director. “It’s used in zoos and that type of situation to enclose birds. According to Top Golf they’ve indicated the netting should not pose concern for migratory birds that are travelling.”

With its gigantic poles and netting visible from miles away, Topgolf now dominates the Brooklyn Center skyline. The venue, located at Highway 252 and I-694, is also less than a mile from the Mississippi River flyway, which is why some residents want to make sure migratory birds are safe.

Brooklyn Center officials say Topgolf has done environmental reviews and that bird incidents at other Topgolf locations around the nation are extremely rare.

“In instances where birds fly into it, they essentially bounce off and fly away,” Beekman said. “It is colored so that the birds can see it and land on it. They have indicated in instances where they’ve seen birds in other parts of the country, they’ll put what they call squawk boxes on top.”

The squawk boxes will send out frequencies that make birds avoid the area. On Monday night, Brooklyn Center officials will present info on the bird safety topic from Topgolf to the city council.

Brooklyn Center