Post by reknw on Apr 25, 2008 11:22:17 GMT -5
The 31st annual Grateful Disc Golf Tournament, one of the longest running DG tournaments in the world, starts today here in Fort Collins with the Doubles action at Edora Park. People are rolling into town in preparation, and the excitement is palpable amongst those familiar with the rewarding (and maddening) sport with a long history and tradition here in the number one city in the USA. So it's a good time to offer a perspective on the current and recently much improved status of DG in Fort Collins.
The Parks Department is in the process of formulating the last stages of build-out designs for Fort Collins parks, which will be completed in roughly 12 years.
Mayor Hutchinson and the Fort Collins City Council Members, recently informed of the frustrating state of Disc Golf in the City, have solidly backed exploration of ways to ameliorate the situation, and have urged the Parks and Recreation Board to pay more attention to Disc Golf interests. The Council emphasized the history and tradition of Disc Golf here and recognizes its status as "Uniquely Fort Collins". The council also recognizes the undeniable issues at Edora Park such as conflicts with other users and tree damage resulting from the substantial numbers of people playing there.
The Parks and Recreation Board hosted Bill Wright at their monthly meeting this past Wednesday, April 23rd to discuss strategies for Disc Golf, which was at the top of their agenda. The Parks Planning Director, Craig Foreman, outlined a plan to begin strategically addressing ways to quickly add more high quality courses to the city and to improve Edora's course for players and non-players alike. In May, Mr. Foreman will hold a "Stakeholders Meeting" which will include the Poudre School District, CSU, Fort Collins Parks, Larimer County representatives, and, of course, representatives of the Disc Golf community. Mr. Foreman and the Director of Parks Environment and Culture, Mr. Marty Heffernan, have wisely concluded that the only way to ensure the best solutions is to heed the advice of those who know the sport best: Bill Wright and informed representatives of Disc Golf.
NoCo is fortunate to have excellent leadership at this time. Jeff Martin, Bryan Mcendaffer, KC Terry, Pat Lien, Brandon Elder, Shannon Anderson, and Evan Brummet between them know all the issues, from the most general to the minutest detail, and will partner with Bill Wright and the City to work in good faith towards enhancing the DG experience here. Their work in these matters has been exemplary and all DGers should feel confident their interests are well represented.
The Stakeholders will explore and consider every piece of available land for possible courses. The best possible solutions will be found. It won't happen overnight, however.
Every Disc Golfer should be grateful that Fort Collins has a Mayor and a City Council who are open-minded and responsive to the needs of the community. Without their willingness to pay attention to DG issues the future of the sport here would not look as good as it does now.
If you have not already done so, please consider emailing the Council with your thanks at this link:
fcgov.com/council/council-email-form.php
It is very important that the council hears from the Disc Golf community so that if the time comes for tough decisions over the next few months the Council Members will know they have the solid support of members of the DG community.
Grateful this w/e should be a blast, literally. It looks like Sundance on Saturday could be brutal with snow and wind forecast. Good luck.
The Parks Department is in the process of formulating the last stages of build-out designs for Fort Collins parks, which will be completed in roughly 12 years.
Mayor Hutchinson and the Fort Collins City Council Members, recently informed of the frustrating state of Disc Golf in the City, have solidly backed exploration of ways to ameliorate the situation, and have urged the Parks and Recreation Board to pay more attention to Disc Golf interests. The Council emphasized the history and tradition of Disc Golf here and recognizes its status as "Uniquely Fort Collins". The council also recognizes the undeniable issues at Edora Park such as conflicts with other users and tree damage resulting from the substantial numbers of people playing there.
The Parks and Recreation Board hosted Bill Wright at their monthly meeting this past Wednesday, April 23rd to discuss strategies for Disc Golf, which was at the top of their agenda. The Parks Planning Director, Craig Foreman, outlined a plan to begin strategically addressing ways to quickly add more high quality courses to the city and to improve Edora's course for players and non-players alike. In May, Mr. Foreman will hold a "Stakeholders Meeting" which will include the Poudre School District, CSU, Fort Collins Parks, Larimer County representatives, and, of course, representatives of the Disc Golf community. Mr. Foreman and the Director of Parks Environment and Culture, Mr. Marty Heffernan, have wisely concluded that the only way to ensure the best solutions is to heed the advice of those who know the sport best: Bill Wright and informed representatives of Disc Golf.
NoCo is fortunate to have excellent leadership at this time. Jeff Martin, Bryan Mcendaffer, KC Terry, Pat Lien, Brandon Elder, Shannon Anderson, and Evan Brummet between them know all the issues, from the most general to the minutest detail, and will partner with Bill Wright and the City to work in good faith towards enhancing the DG experience here. Their work in these matters has been exemplary and all DGers should feel confident their interests are well represented.
The Stakeholders will explore and consider every piece of available land for possible courses. The best possible solutions will be found. It won't happen overnight, however.
Every Disc Golfer should be grateful that Fort Collins has a Mayor and a City Council who are open-minded and responsive to the needs of the community. Without their willingness to pay attention to DG issues the future of the sport here would not look as good as it does now.
If you have not already done so, please consider emailing the Council with your thanks at this link:
fcgov.com/council/council-email-form.php
It is very important that the council hears from the Disc Golf community so that if the time comes for tough decisions over the next few months the Council Members will know they have the solid support of members of the DG community.
Grateful this w/e should be a blast, literally. It looks like Sundance on Saturday could be brutal with snow and wind forecast. Good luck.
