Disc Golf in State Parks

[Mando]

It's interesting to see how this varies from state to state.
How do you explain the fact some states like Pennsylvania have exceptional disc golf courses in their state parks, while other states have none.

[ZMan44]

It is odd in some states that there are none. I know Mississippi has some courses in their state parks. Tennessee has a couple as well.

[JR Stengele]

When I play in Hawaii (Oahu, where my wife's family lives) since they have little room for permanent course they put up an 18 hole course once a month in a state park and they are a lot of fun. I believe Oregon does it a ton unlike washington that needs to follow in its sister state below.

[Mando]

Unless I missed something, there are zero state parks with disc golf courses in;
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia.
That's alot of untapped potential for DGC growth.
You would think that a state which is nationally recognized as a disc golf destination like NC, would at least give disc golf a try in their state parks.
If PA has DG in 13 state parks, it can't be too bad of an idea.

[magictenor1]

The State Parks in Mississippi have a very high percentage of the total courses. We have quite a few parks here and I don't know if that is a factor ie having more than our share of parks. It is interesting how different areas have different types of courses and locations. It seems like a natural thing to have.

[Mando]

The State Parks in Mississippi have a very high percentage of the total courses. We have quite a few parks here and I don't know if that is a factor ie having more than our share of parks. It is interesting how different areas have different types of courses and locations. It seems like a natural thing to have.
I agree. It does seem like a very natural thing to have, especially when you consider that state parks generally have more acreage than city,county,college & private parcels. I do not know if it is by design, but the MS State Parks are positioning themselves as a DG destination. We camped at Bull Run last summer and it's a real treat to have a DGC on the premises.

[Hamilton]

all of the courses i can think of in kentucky are in local parks...

[Fore]

It could also be one of those situations where people want a course there but they are outweighed by the neighbors/park regulars who don't. There is alot of red tape around here and it takes forever to get the ok on a new course.

[RustyP]

Louisiana added their first state park course in 2007...Lake Bistineau State Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2511).

Louisiana States were held there last September, and according to the TD (who also designed and installed the course) the park's attendance went up at least 10% in the first year after adding the course! He also said that someone who worked in the park (not sure of the position) made a comment that the only 2 things that raised their attendance any significant amount were disc golf courses and new pavilions...so now all the LA state parks are asking for courses! The same designer (Kevin Pelton of Shreveport) is currently designing a course at Tickfaw State Park (http://www.sndg.org/forum/read.php?2,133985) near New Orleans.

[kinfolkfan]

I dont think that Northern California has any courses in any of its State Parks...
I am not sure. But there are a lot of state parks on the mendocino coast and the only course is at the high school.
How can you get your state parks motivated to allow a course?
Lets get a course in every state park. Its the least they can do for us!
Viva la Disc! or something.

[SigmaChris]

It also could do with the mission statement or mind set of each particular state's department. Some states may only want natural type state parks for camping, hiking, fishing and not mess with setting up a game. While other states see the benefit of drawing more visitors by giving this game to its visitors.

[RustyP]

I dont think that Northern California has any courses in any of its State Parks...
I am not sure. But there are a lot of state parks on the mendocino coast and the only course is at the high school.
How can you get your state parks motivated to allow a course?
Lets get a course in every state park. Its the least they can do for us!
Viva la Disc! or something.

If my understanding of the state/national park system is correct, funding shouldn't be an issue for most state parks. Like Chris said, some might not allow a course due to the fact that it's not "natural", but I would think most parks would be interested in how a course can increase their activity at the gates. Research state parks with courses (this thread is a good start), find out who designed/installed the course and find out how they went about it, maybe even contact the park to find out if the course has made a positive impact...seems like that would be the best way to get started.

[solomon.trenton]

It's interesting to see how this varies from state to state.
How do you explain the fact some states like Pennsylvania have exceptional disc golf courses in their state parks, while other states have none.

some states suck and dont want to risk damage to animals natural habitate. but we can cut down a riainforest to build million dollar homes. makes you wonder.

[magictenor1]

Dg courses are not very disruptive of the environment especially if you use natural tees. To me they are a natural for state parks and the ideal of nature and man coexisting.

[kinfolkfan]

Thanks for the tips Rusty!

[RustyP]

Thanks for the tips Rusty!
No problem...and nice pic, by the way. I've got that sticker on my fridge and one of my portable baskets ;) great live show!

[Mando]

Louisiana added their first state park course in 2007...Lake Bistineau State Park (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=2511).

Louisiana States were held there last September, and according to the TD (who also designed and installed the course) the park's attendance went up at least 10% in the first year after adding the course! He also said that someone who worked in the park (not sure of the position) made a comment that the only 2 things that raised their attendance any significant amount were disc golf courses and new pavilions...so now all the LA state parks are asking for courses! The same designer (Kevin Pelton of Shreveport) is currently designing a course at Tickfaw State Park (http://www.sndg.org/forum/read.php?2,133985) near New Orleans.
Thanks, that's great info.
I'd love to hear a similiar report detailing the evolution of disc golf in the PA state parks, since they now have 2 of the top ten courses. MS is another apparent success story, where knowing some details might help elsewhere.
I suspect that involvement from the disc golf community is a key component. As far as getting started,it may just be as simple as having a progressive thinker in the state administrative chain.
WV is a state that has invested heavily in resort state parks with all kinds of activities, but no disc golf. Hard to figure.

[SigmaChris]

some states suck and dont want to risk damage to animals natural habitate. but we can cut down a riainforest to build million dollar homes. makes you wonder.

There are actually more trees today in North America than there was in 1900. The lumber and paper industries do a great job of sustaining our natural resources and their raw materials.

[hycard]

Unless I missed something, there are zero state parks with disc golf courses in;
North Carolina
South Carolina
Virginia
West Virginia.
That's alot of untapped potential for DGC growth.
You would think that a state which is nationally recognized as a disc golf destination like NC, would at least give disc golf a try in their state parks.
If PA has DG in 13 state parks, it can't be too bad of an idea.


NC has a 9-hole course at Haw River State Park. Check out www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/hari/summit_amenities.

Many new courses are planned in NC through the PARTF funding initiative.

The number of DG courses in the triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem and surrounding area) alone should double within a couple of years.

Hope to see this happen in every state.

[DGtourist]

If you do a search for course contain "state park" DGCR kicks back 83 courses (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?cname=state+park&holes=0&holetype=0&teetype=0&rating_min=&rating_max=&terrain%5B%5D=1&terrain%5B%5D=2&terrain%5B%5D=3&landscape%5B%5D=1&landscape%5B%5D=2&landscape%5B%5D=3&mtees=&mpins=&private=1&paytoplay=1&country=1&city=&state=&zipcode=&zip_distance=) many of them highly rated.

We should all inform our local state parks divisions that a disc course is a great low impact way to increase visitors.

[Mando]

NC has a 9-hole course at Haw River State Park. Check out www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/hari/summit_amenities.

Many new courses are planned in NC through the PARTF funding initiative.

The number of DG courses in the triad (Greensboro, High Point, Winston-Salem and surrounding area) alone should double within a couple of years.

Hope to see this happen in every state.
Thanks. I had not heard about the Haw River course, but that's great news.
Please tell me more about how PARTF works.

[DSCJNKY]

Each state park agency (oregon, california,...) is going to have its own idea of what a state park should be and what recreational activities should and should not be allowed on their lands. And, they could apply their policy to all their state parks collectively or on a site-by-site basis. Personally, I don't believe all state parks should have disc golf courses. Most of these lands have been set aside to preserve their natural beauty and the quality of habitat for wildlife... having a bunch of discs smashing into and gouging tree trunks that are supposed to be protected, and having people trample vegetation, creating numerous trails leading to where bad shots are thrown will only aid in the erosion of the soil and eventual destruction of the habitat. Although state parks are beautiful places to play, having permanent courses in these environments would detract from the quality of the natural experience.

With that said... I have played Milo Mgiver State Park in Oregon and loved it! But Milo is a special circumstance due to the history of the park having previously been a ball golf course before being donated to the state.
I also developed an object golf course in Yosemite last summer. Since I worked there as a ranger, and I needed to practice... I found a prescribed burn area near my cabin and played regularly... but it wasnt like I was playing throughout the giant sequoias, or hucking drives off half dome, that would have been inappropriate (even if it would be fun).
DSCJNKY

[wooslekg]

all of the courses i can think of in kentucky are in local parks...

There are at least two in Kentucky state parks. Jenny Wiley and Lake Cumberland. I've not played either but have heard good things about Lake Cumberland which is converted from a ball golf course.

[Olorin]

NC has a 9-hole course at Haw River State Park. Check out www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/hari/summit_amenities (http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/hari/summit_amenities).

Here's a better link with the .php on the end:
http://www.ncparks.gov/Visit/parks/hari/summit_amenities.php
Click on "All Amenities"

[ShaZaun]

I don't think there are any in Texas but now I'm curiouse and will go check.....

[ERicJ]

I don't think there are any in Texas but now I'm curiouse and will go check.....

Only one TX hit from the DGCR search:
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?cname=state+park&country=1&city=&state=51&zip_distance=&zipcode=&mtees=&mpins=&holes=0&holetype=0&teetype=0&rating_min=&rating_max=&terrain[]=1&terrain[]=2&terrain[]=3&landscape[]=1&landscape[]=2&landscape[]=3&private=1&paytoplay=1 (http://www.dgcoursereview.com/browse.php?cname=state+park&country=1&city=&state=51&zip_distance=&zipcode=&mtees=&mpins=&holes=0&holetype=0&teetype=0&rating_min=&rating_max=&terrain%5B%5D=1&terrain%5B%5D=2&terrain%5B%5D=3&landscape%5B%5D=1&landscape%5B%5D=2&landscape%5B%5D=3&private=1&paytoplay=1)

[solomon.trenton]

Massachusetts has one that is played through a state park/dam that is really challenging. check out
http://www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1932

[craigd]

Georgia has Cloudland Canyon. www.dgcoursereview.com/course.php?id=1131 The bad thing is, with all the expansive and beautiful land that the park has, they seemed to have used the worst of what was available. It could have been so much better to wind through the woods a little more. Too bad.

[DannyM]

I actually have tried to get a disc golf course started in SC on a state park. I talked to one of the state park representitives, and their take on it was that they did not want to "disturb" any of the natural habitat to put in a course. Almost started a war during that meeting because one of the rangers has seen/played disc golf, and was with me on this that it could be done in the park system with very little change. So, in SC, we are S.O.L. until there are changes in management. Maybe now that the economy is low, they could see it as a way to get people in again...hmmmmmm