New course in Laporte Indiana??

[djext1]

I heard tale of a new course going in at some park in Laporte Indiana last year. Anyone know of anything about this? Are they still planning on putting it together by summer?

When I heard about it from someone who talked with the parks people there, they said they wanted to start installing it at the end of winter, early spring.

They also said they were going to revamp and extend/improve the Michigan City course.

Anyone? ...Anyone? ...

[Bart]

Hi DJext1,
I got to shoot the 9 holes in Michigan City with some of the parks people in attendance October, 2009. I explained a few design issues and some course philosophy. One of them shot the round with me. I birdied most of the holes and came in at 6 or 7 under so they got to see some pretty good shots. They are considering a few hole changes and adding 9 holes/better tee pads as well. There was also some discussion about another course or 2 at other La Porte county parks. They were looking for good options to expand on the disc golf adventure but made no firm commitments. I suspect spring will kick start their interest. A groundswell of locals calling/e-mailing the parks department with disc golf expansion inquiries might help....

On a related note...we are hosting the 2010 Pro Worlds at Lemon Lake. Have you been there? Which of the 4 courses did you play?

Buy 2010 Pro Worlds Discs Exclusively at my store...

www.DiscGolfFlyMart.com

Michigan City, IN Pics...Creek Ridge County Park

[djext1]

Well I hope they follow through and put in some courses in that area :) As for Lemon Lake, yeah I've played there a few times and really look forward to playing there some more again this year. I've played all 4 of the courses and have nothing but good things to say about that park and the courses there. The local club does a great job keeping the course up and putting on tournaments. I played in the Indiana State Championships last year and had a great time.

As for worlds, I'll be there the last couples days to watch for sure. I'll be sure to keep the inquiries up with the Laporte Parks Dept along with friends to give them reason to put in some courses.

[Jukeshoe]

I also talked to a park dept person a while ago (October) and they said there was discussion going on for the 18 hole course (on the corner of Hwy 2 and 421.)

My concern is that the talks will stall because of the *excessive* littering that is going on at Creek Ridge. It has been really, really bad. Absolutely trashed. I've been making a concerted effort to clean up each time a play a round, but I feel like I'm fighting a losing battle. I play a couple of times a week minimum there, but each time I go out, it looks like at least a case or two of Keystone Light or some other terrible, terrible beer has been consumed and dispersed throughout the course (sometimes with several cans within feet of the available trash cans.) :thmbdown::thmbdown::doh::mad:

I've considered talking with the park officials to see what can be done, but after looking up some of the other threads regarding littering, it didn't sound like there was much to be done other than just pick the stuff up. :(

[Jukeshoe]

Follow up: email sent to Parks Dept inquiring re: new course and/or improvements to Creek Ridge. I'll post more info if/when I get a response.

[Jukeshoe]

Ok, just traded emails with Tim Morgan the LaPorte County Parks Department Superintendent. Here is what he had to say re: a new course/ Creek Ridge's excessive litter problem.

"Thank you for your comments and concerns. We are experiencing growing pains in the management of this new facility as we have never had this type of facility to manage.

Plans are to have a committee formed this Spring and Summer to investigate the existing course at Creek Ridge and suggestions for future of disk golf both at Creek Ridge and other County Parks."

He asked if I wanted to be a part of the committee, to which I ascented. Hopefully they decide to improve Creek Ridge and/or put in a new course, while working to help mitigate littering.

I highly recommend that anyone interested in improving/expanding disc golf in LaPorte County contact Tim Morgan...he responded very quickly and seems genuinely interested in disc golf from a professional standpoint.

I'd be interested in hearing from other people who have been involved with their local park department's efforts to expand/improve disc golf facilities. Suggestions? Tips? Things to avoid bringing up? Thanks!

[Jukeshoe]

There is a meeting re: disc golf in La Porte County Parks on Tuesday March 30th at Red Mill Park. If you are interested in attending, please email Tim Morgan, County Parks Superintendant. His email can be found here (http://www.laportecountyparks.org/). RSVP is necessary, as this is not an open meeting, although the county is happy for anyone interested to contact them.

We will be discussing improvements to Creek Ridge, including the possibility of expansion to 18 holes, better tee pads, safety improvements, and cosmetic changes.

Also, there will be discussion on the possibility of another course being added in the county, most likely 18 holes. This is a great opportunity for your Disc Golf opinions to be heard, as well as a wonderful way to contribute to our growing sport and your community.

Feel free to contact me with questions.

[Matthew boals]

Well it's not in Laporte but a coulpe of DG buddies of mine have a DG Co. They are working with Gary's parks Dept. & Argos,In Parks Dept in designing courses. No set date for the courses to get in the ground....yet. I believe the park in Gary is Marquette. The park in Argos,In. Is community park. I'll keep you posted when I get more info.!