Garden City Mini Golf, in business for 60 years, is up for sale

Posted by author February 28, 2025 Golf

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GARDEN CITY— A long-time putt-putt golf course in the city is up for sale.

Garden City Miniature Golf, located at 29060 Ford Road for 60 years, is on the market along with an adjacent residential property at 29016 Ford Road as part of a package deal.

A buyer could score a hole-in-one for both, a total of 1.5 acres, for $1.5 million.

“We have several people interested,” Re/Max associate broker Ali Abdallah said. “This is a huge investment.”

The property is zoned commercial, but because it is in the business district of the city, there are restrictions on use, he explained. No car washes or gas stations would be permitted.

The 29016 address has a 2,200-square foot home which is currently occupied by the owner, but which Abdallah believes was previously used for commercial purposes as it has a 3-inch water main.

He expects that a buyer would likely demolish that building as well as an outbuilding to develop the properties for mixed use of commercial and residential—perhaps “a beautiful plaza” with restaurants and retail shops, as well as townhouses.

The properties have a total of 265 feet of frontage on Ford Road and also border Central Avenue and Krauter Street.

Abdallah suggests up to a dozen two-story townhomes with attached garages could be built in the rear of the property, as well as up to 20 stores in a strip mall in the front.“This will be the future (of Garden City),” he said. “The community is moving in that direction.”

Abdallah adds that he envisions the area with lots of restaurants and coffee shops “similar to Royal Oak or Northville, but on a smaller scale.”

Garden City Mini Golf was built at 29060 Ford Road in 1964. James and Patricia Bicknell purchased the business in 1967 and Bill and Barb Bicknell took over operations of the 18-hole course in 1999, adding the popular “Haunted Golf.” The business celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2016.

The Bicknells could not be immediately reached for comment.

A 2024 post on the business webpage noted, “Throughout the years we have heard customers’ childhood memories of our mini golf, and we are so thrilled that we can watch these families create more memories with their own children. These stories are what keep us going and keep us striving to remain a community staple.”

Contact Susan Bromley at sbromley@hometownlife.com.