Note: I have moved this up. If anyone would like to comment please feel free to. The commnets so far are a bit out of line so if you have not read them please read from the top and work your way down. For some reason the commends are not in order. By the way Jim thanks for the info. I will post a comment to them soon.
Disc golf courses should they be part of the Duluth Parks and Recreations?
This is a question, I know nothing about disc golf. Never played it and have not heard much about it. I wonder however if it is as popular as people say it is then why not open a private course? One not ran by the city?
These are just a couple of questions. Maybe some one can give me there thoughts and enlighten me on what the game is.
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9 comments:
John...
Disc Golf is a sport that came about in the 1970's and has become increasingly popular in the last decade, and yes it definitely should be a part of Duluth's parks. It's played exactly like golf, but with concrete pads for tees and baskets on poles for holes. Today there are over a thousand disc golf courses around the country and the vast majority of them (to the tune of 90-95%) are in public parks, on public land...and are more often than not free to use. I used to play almost daily when I lived in the Cities and had at least a dozen city parks within a short drive from my house...all free.
Money isn't really something that is generally bantered about when referring to the sport because of its simplicity, and the fact that attempting to charge money for play simply doesn't work. There are a few exceptions to this, including Highbridge Red Area outside Ashland. Highbridge is a supercourse set on private land with additional camping and other amenities. The owners have put in countless hours and a significant amount of money to make Highbridge a world class USDGA competitin course complex. They do charge, but the course is the first of its kind and it's highly manicured. However, George Hovland tried a course up at Snowflake a few years back, and in addition to personality conflicts between him and players, the venture was a failure because you simply cannot make money off of something that is otherwise in other areas free and open to everyone.
Most disc golf courses make use of otherwise unused and underdeveloped city parks (think: Upper Lester), often cleaning up and improving the overall quality of public land by clearing out deadfall, establishing fairways and walking paths. It generally appeals to all ages, abilities and gender. It's a walk in the park with your friends on a Saturday afternoon. AND it's a hell of a lot of fun. It's a cool way to meet people...particularly younger people and if you throw, you've got an "in" with them. In the eyes of some...it makes you *that* much cooler.
I suggest you google the sport, as well as have a look at the PDGA website if you want to know more...otherwise, grab a couple of discs at Play It Again or the Electric Fetus and meet me at LSC in the spring when the tees are out.
A lot of people play it at the college in Traverse City. I was surprised. Artists have designed sculptures that for kids to throw frisbees through. They have "holes" all over campus. There are even several stores that carry high end frisbees in town. I've never played it but a lot of people do.
Do you know how the areas they play the game are funded?
Kids play disc golf at the college. The college has chain baskets that function as golf holes. I would assume the college funded part and the rest came from donations from whoever. Other people provided artwork that functioned as "holes". Examples would be a sculpture that you can toss a frisbee through. I can't imagine that the college spent very much money on it at all. Also, the college has a student government (SGA). The SGA has an annual budget for student activities. They may have approved money for the project in the past. They college even has a class teaching the game. That is why I am assuming the college put up funding (and the golf course is on college property). I think it is a good idea. It gets people outside. It gets people interacting with each other. It is very inexpensive to get into. You just buy a frisbee or borrow a friends.
"I wonder however if it is as popular as people say it is then why not open a private course? One not ran by the city?"
In response, I think a good idea would be for the city to set up a few courses around the city. You could put one up in Chester Bowl (between the playground and the soccerfields), at Grant Rec., lester park, ect... I can't imagine the chain baskets are very expensive. You could even put up rings, loops, hoops, whatever you can toss a disc through.
Keeping the courses free and highly local would be best.
Have you forgotten how the City of Duluth operates. We will look for the most expensive equipment possible. Then buy it even if the cheaper equipment works just as well.
I do have to say the game sounds like fun. I don't understand why the city always has to chip in however. We are in a huge budget crisis. We can't affort to be doing the none esental things as this point.
I do understand that there is an effort to collect donations at this point. I am more then fine with this. I hope it is funded by donations 100% however I have a feeiling it will not be.
I am not saying I don't support this type of activiety because I do. I just wonder why we always have to as a city put money up for everything. It needs to stop some were.
On an unrelated note. I just found out the school that I am going to was 100% funded by private donation. The campus was completed 2003-2004. It is a new campus. It cost approximatly 18 million dollars. That is a lot of money to raise without going to the tax payers.
I agree, Duluth should not be spending ANY money any non-essential things. They need to mantain safe roads, bridges, police & fire protection, and other essential public goods. Everything else, forget it.
If the people running the city can't budget their money to maintain the parks and rec department then it is time for new leadership. I guess only time will tell.
Hi in dog neato:
Thanks for stopping by again. I am not sure when you posted this but I just say it, sorry. I hope you did not post it to long ago.
I understand that this fits in with the golf course like event. I however don't believe that Duluth should be running golf courses.
I understand that also that it may not be worth have a private pay as you play course. With that said I wonder how much then does it cost the city to keep up the course? Is it worth the cost? Just a couple of questions I wonder about. If you could shine some light on it that would be great.
As I said I am not really against this but I wonder if it is something the city should be getting involved in right now, with our budgett problems. I also understand that they are asking for donations, is it possible that all the money could be raised by donations.
As far as I see, the game sounds like a blast. I would love to play it some time. If you know of a spot to play let me know. Hey I would meet you at LSC to play if you don't mind playing with a republican LOL. That may also change my mind on how I feel.
Some very good questions and comments.
The new 18 hole Miller Creek Disc Golf course by Lake Superior College is primarily located on property owned by the City of Duluth. To complete a circuit, an agreement was made to place 3 holes on LSC property. The Miller Creek Disc Golf Course was installed utilizing 100% volunteer labor that amounted to over 1500 volunteer hours. All equipment and support facilities were purchased utilizing all donated funds as well as donated materials. Zero taxpayer moneys were used to build or install the course.
The same will be for the proposed disc golf locations within Duluth. From the very start, the Duluth Parks and Recreation Department has made it very clear while working with the Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission's Disc Golf Committee, that the City staff can only help with finding an appropiate location then it is all up to the community members to provide the rest. That includes any future maintenance.
The cool thing about disc golf is total cost per hole is approximately $500.00. So in other words, an 18 hole course costs $9000.00. That palls compared to a playground that can run between $25,000 - $125,000.
The last point is that the regular ball golf courses in Duluth (Enger/ Lester) have been contracted out and at year's end 2007, the course has broken even.
If anyone would like to become active in the Duluth Parks and Recreation Commission, we currently have several Commissioner positions open. Feel free to apply. Applications are available on the City of Duluth web site.
Jim
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