Disc Golf Survey Results Released at Guilford Park & Rec Meeting

GUILFORD, CT - Three-quarters of the respondents to a townwide survey on Guilford’s website said they supported the construction of a disc golf course, officials reported at a recent special meeting on the proposed course.

Twenty percent said they were opposed to the course and 5 percent said they were neutral to the idea, according to Parks and Recreation Director Rick Maynard.

Maynard said the cost of the course would be about $12,000 using 6-8 acres of the park.

About 40 people attended the special meeting on the proposed course on July 17th.

Craig Smolin, who has been playing disc golf for about 15 years, said he was approached by Maynard last year about designing a disc golf course. He said originally the plan was to put the course at Peddler’s Park but it was decided it would be a better fit for Bittner Park.

Smolin said he has worked closely with Environmental Planner Kevin Magee to avoid wetland areas and that the course had been designed to accommodate all kind of activities - hikers, horseback riders, etc.

Maynard said there are 140 acres in Bittner Park so the golf course shouldn’t conflict with other recreational activities.

Maynard said disc golf is growing in popularity statewide and nationwide and has low environmental impact. He said while there are 27 disc golf courses in Connecticut, there are none on the shoreline.

He said there are no deed restrictions prohibiting this use, no fairways intersect with the trails and the baskets and fairways will be kept a safe distance from the trails.

Two short spurs may have to be closed and one trail may be relocated, Maynard said.

Regarding environmental impact, some small trees (2”-8” caliper) and brush will be removed but there will be no clear cutting, he said.

As far as cost, Maynard said A Master Plan requested by the Commission some years ago called for eight more athletic fields, an indoor swimming pool, etc., which would have had a major impact and cost millions of dollars. Regarding the cost of the disc golf course, a tennis court costs $65,000 - $75,000, basketball court - $63,000, skate park renovations - $160,000, one swing set and slide costs $8,000.

Following the official presentation, members of the public spoke about the course proposal - some in favor, some opposed.

The Park and Recreation Commission is scheduled to discuss the course proposal, and the results of the July 17th meeting the disc course town survey at its next meeting on Aug. 6th.