News: Pinewoods Disc Golf New Course Layout

Pinewoods Disc Golf Course is getting a new layout. 
Click here for New Course Map 
Click here for Pinewoods Park Master Plan

After several meetings and much insight from all stakeholders that utilize Pinewoods park, a decision was made for the compromise of all park users to remove six (6) of the baskets, creating a 12-hole disc golf course.  With such a boom in the popularity of the course drawing players from the surrounding areas, this decision was not taken lightly.  Over the course of the past several months we’ve been considering our options and weighing the pros and cons that the increase in foot traffic has had on our park.  With the implantation of the expanded nine (9) holes in 2020 we looked forward to the opportunity for a full 18-hole course and the positive foot traffic it would bring to our park.  That being said we underestimated the amount of use the course would get and despite efforts to maintain play areas with re-seeding and seasonal breaks in play to give the turf opportunity to rejuvenate, we’ve simply continued to see a slow decline in the aesthetics of the park in certain play areas.  With the course taking up such a large footprint in the park there is no opportunity for alternate basket sites (as some courses often utilize to help disperse foot traffic and prevent the wear and tear of heavy play).       

We understand that the decrease in holes from 18 to 12 will come as a disappointment to some disc golfers, but ultimately, Pinewoods still offers a 12-hole option which is conducive to a nice quick round with some tight throwing windows and natural landscape—all aspects that draw disc golfers to this course anyway.  In consulting with the disc golf representatives of our committee, this reduction in holes will still draw local users, but will decrease the foot traffic of players from other communities who often would make the trip to the course for league or tournament play throughout the season.
  
Ultimately this decision to remove four (4) of the six (6) baskets within the old growth forest area will recapture an area for walkers, and nature-seeking park goers to appreciate without interruption of disc golf. Though the initial plan of disc golf coinciding alongside delineated walking paths within the forest area was seen as a way to provide the best of both worlds, it ultimately has been a point of contention amongst park users whose intended park use is for means other than disc golf.  

Removal of two (2) of the baskets near the Pinewoods drive entrance, also intends to decrease the congestion at the entrance of the park, provides more play space surrounding the playground and ultimately provides a footprint for aesthetic upgrades at the entrance of the park in the coming years.

I want to thank the members of the committee who took the time and effort to participate in these monthly meetings.  Each member did a great job in advocating for their representative sector of park user, bringing valuable information and insights for consideration.  The goal of the committee was to find positive solutions to existing issues and ultimately make Pinewoods a better place for all intended users.  I truly believe we accomplished that.
In the coming years we will continue to work on a plan and vision for the park that will see enhancement to the nature trails with educational signage.  Aesthetic upgrades to the park entrance to pay homage to the park’s history.  Paved pathways, and parking areas within the park, as well as improvements to tee box and basket areas of the disc golf course.