Pros:
I am proud to announce a new 9-hole disc golf course in Reading, PA. In conjunction with Alvernia University and the Reading City Parks & Recreation Department, a new 9-hole course has opened at Angelica Park.
Angelica Park was known in the area for many decades in the 20th century as a popular recreational spot. A dam was formed on the Angelica Creek, a tributary of the Schulykill River, to form a 13-acre lake which was used for boating, fishing, and ice skating in the winter. It was even lighted for nighttime skating! In June of 2001, a tropical storm washed out the dam and the bridge over Route 10 and completely drained Angelica Lake. What followed was five years of public meetings, debate and negotiation before city officials decided against repairing the dam and instead opted to create a wetlands project and future environmental center. And since the installation of the nearby wetland, with its wildflowers and native grasses, along with the riparian buffer along the creek which slows erosion and provides valuable habitat for wildlife, a variety of birds can be spotted in the area. It is not uncommon to encounter grackles, mourning doves, swallows, sparrows, yellow warblers, goldfinches, orchard orioles, catbirds, and downy woodpeckers. Great blue herons and even kingfishers also frequent the park. So not only will you experience a fun test of disc golf skills, you'll hopefully also appreciate the nature in the park.
The new course plays in a scenic area at the west end of the park, with a mixture of wooded and open shots along the meandering Angelica Creek. The course was designed by Sports Information Director and Head Golf Coach of Alvernia University, Jon King, with lots of input from Disc Golf Course Designers Group member Jeff LaGrassa. The nine holes offer a variety of shots, with some elevation changes, and the water coming into play on many holes - the baskets on hole #2, 3, 6 and 8 lie very close to the water's edge. Hole#7 crosses the creek perpendicularly with the target located on the other side. While most of the holes can be reached for a possible 2, hole#9 is a blue level pro par four hole of some 550+ feet, where two long throws are needed to have a chance at a birdie three. The course has three other holes of 300-400 feet, and five holes less than 300 feet, and can easily be played in less than 45 minutes.
Cons:
Being so new, the course is still a work in progress and stakes mark the natural dirt teepads. If the course is a success, future plans may include semi-permanent or permanent teepads, and alternate tees and polehole positions on many of the holes. In the meantime, I invite you to come check out the new layout and the wonderful nature which can observed here.
Other Thoughts:
#1) A course can only be designed in the land available. We were very restricted in the available land for this course. It had to be placed in the west end of the park, far away from the wetlands center, the baseball fields, and even the field below the parking lot.
Working with these constraints, concessions around holes running somewhat close to each other had to be made, unless we wanted all the holes to be less than 200 feet long and more pitch 'n' putt than the course already is.
#2) From what I am told, people rarely use the walking paths and picnic tables on the course, even in the height of summer. When we were out there in the summer, we saw no one. It's not like dozens of families come out and picnic all over the course. However, if the picnic tables are in use, please take care and be aware of errant shots reaching them.
#3) We deliberately did not place poleholes in the riparian buffer because this area is protected, will not be maintained and will indeed eventually grow up. While a few holes border the riparian buffer, in the normal course of play golfers will likely not throw into this area. Notice that the "bail out" area on holes #2, 3 and #8 is to the left and in the open where novice RHBH golfers' shots typically end up.
#4) Alvernia University owns the house and yard on which hole#5 plays next to.
#5) People need to realize that this is the first course in Reading, designed to cater to amateur disc golfers and Alvernia University students who will play with lids. This is not Lake Nockamixon. This is not Little Lehigh Parkway or Jordan Creek. This course will almost surely never see tournament play other than an informal league for Alvernia University students. It's not like at any point we will ever have the course full of foursomes where stray shots into other fairways will become a serious safety issue or hold up play.
People should also understand that the course is a work in progress. We deliberately did not put down any semi-permanent or permanent teepads, and do not even have permanent tee signs made up yet. The course can and will be adjusted if what is deemed as serious problems do arise. Golfers should be patient and understanding that the course is in flux and not pass judgment on something that is not a finished product.
Update 8/14/12: Played the course over the weekend. Unfortunately, due to some erosion control work, the basket of hole#3 has been removed, and I have no idea how long this removal will be in place.
Secondly, there is a large tree down near the basket of hole#5 and care must be taken until the tree and brush are removed.
Third, despite what we were previously told by park & university personnel, holes #6 and #7, which throw very close to and over the creek, have not been maintained. The scrub trees have not been controlled and make this area a very wild one for errant shots. Hole#7 is now a completely blind shot up and over the trees, where there previously was a completely open route to the basket. :-(
Finally, it appears that locals have developed a short tee pad for hole#9. That's fine, but remember that the regular tee is the concrete back by the road and makes the hole a pro par four.