FACT

18-hole disc golf courses exist in multi-use recreation areas even smaller Leddy Park all over the country. Opponents of disc golf are using a doctored map with misinterpreted test results to try and draw conclusions about disc golf in Leddy Park. Here is what the author of the original test results has to say about their use of his scatter pattern:

“The data and graphs in my paper on Boy Scout skills were meant to be a tool to be used by other qualified disc golf course designers. Someone who does not have additional knowledge and experience could not be expected to use them properly. While a ruler would be an appropriate tool for building a house, getting hold of a ruler does not make one a carpenter.

The graphs are inappropriate for use in woods. Discs don’t go as far in wooded areas. Not only because the trees block the flight, but also because players throw more carefully.

Even an experienced designer cannot use just maps to determine whether or not a course is safe. I suggest both sides agree to bring in a qualified designer from the Disc Golf Course Designers Group to take a look at the site and proposed design. If it is not safe, the designer will say so.”

There is no proposed course layout right now. We have withdrawn the previous layout until we can gain more input from the county forester, a PDGA approved course designer, and the city arborist.

Opponents of the course are using scare tactics to make disc golf sound unsafe. Disc golf is no more dangerous to participants and spectators than baseball, hockey, basketball, tennis, soccer, lacrosse, etc.

Disc golf courses safely coexist with a myriad of other recreational activities in parks across the country. For more information, click here.

Nowhere in our proposal have we recommended the use of concrete for tee pads. Many courses use small wood posts to identify tee locations and thus have no tee pads at all. While some courses do have concrete tees, our plan is to work with the county forester, the city arborist, and a PDGA (professional disc golf association) approved course designer to figure out what type of tee pad would work best on a course at Leddy. We’re confident that their combined expertise in forestry and course design will lead us to the most appropriate solution, whether it be natural tees, paving stones, crushed stone, concrete, or another more creative approach.

The Disc Golf Working Group appointed by the Parks and Recreation Commission to make disc golf recommendations turned in a UNANIMOUS vote in FAVOR of bringing disc golf to Burlington. Of the 7 members appointed to the group, six were present at the final meeting and they voted 3 to 3 on if Leddy Park is the right location. The one person who was unable to attend the final meeting supports an 18 hole disc golf course in Leddy Park.

The same group of Leddy Park neighbors showed up to meeting after meeting, airing their same stale arguments against a course time after time. BTown Disc Golf Club chose not to waste the time of the volunteers on the working group, and therefore advised supporters of the course not to attend after the initial public forum, as no new information was being offered. An angry group of opponents, no matter how loud they yell, do not indicate the feelings of city residents as a whole.

The Kansas State disc golf course went throughout campus - through narrow passageways between buildings, over roads, etc. It is disingenuous and insulting to suggest that this situation is in any way similar to a disc golf course in the woods at Leddy Park.

We are strongly concerned about Leddy Park as a natural recreation area, and plan on readdressing the timely control and management of any environmental impacts that the disc golf course may have before agreeing to a new course design. Our commitment to the residents of Burlington is to install a low-impact course in Leddy Park, maintain the course with privately raised funds from local individuals and business, protect any endangered vegetation and plant or re-plant if ever necessary, all under the professional guidance and recommendations of the city arborist and/or the Chittenden County Forester.

Leddy Park has been designated as an active recreation use area, not a natural area. The Park and its activities are open to all Burlington residents, not just those whose houses abut the park.

The areas of underbrush that were removed during the initial course installation process were impassible to average park users before work began on the course. These areas of the park will now be enjoyed by disc golfers, hikers, snowshoers, cross country skiers, and dog walkers alike.

Play areas for the course will not overlap with any existing walking, biking or hiking trails. The new course design will be created using areas of the park currently not passable or in use by the average park user.

Disc golf does not require large clearing for fairways. Disc golf, unlike traditional or “ball” golf, is often played through the trees.

According to the Burlington Parks & Recreation Department’s records, of 180 emails received from their website at the end of their publicized comment period, 92% were in favor of the course.

Many Burlington individuals and local businesses have expressed their support for the course, and in some cases, donated money to help build a disc golf course in Leddy Park.

Among our supporters and sponsors are:

Former Mayoral Candidate Dan Smith
Sharon Gutwin, Rehab Gym owner
Skinny Pancake co-owner Jonathan Adler
PDGA member and lifelong Burlington resident Mary Cosgrove
Northfield Savings Bank
Tricia Gustafson, Local Business Owner, Yoga Instructor

There are over 200 parking spots available at Leddy, providing more than adequate parking facilities. Plus, being directly on the waterfront bike path means Leddy Park is a very accessible location for Burlington residents from Oakledge Park in the South End to the Northgate neighborhood and beyond in the New North End.

With additional parking for bicycles, the disc golf course will encourage other users of Leddy Park to get out of their cars and get on to the bike path as well.

On January 17, 2009, 33 disc golf players raised over $2,200 for the Waterbury Food Shelf during the annual Ice Bucket tournament, in appreciation of community support for the 18-hole disc golf course in Waterbury Center.

The San Francisco Disc Golf club was able to work with the urban forestry division and the parks department to design the course so that very few trees were impacted and those that were are being protected through the use of mesh screens. They have not had any complaints since the course re-opened two years ago (and increased from 12 to 18 holes) and have a great working relationship with the parks department.

There is not currently a fee to park at Leddy.

There is also plenty of parking in the two lots at Leddy to accomodate disc golfers, hockey players, tennis players, softball players and soccer players alike.