New Course Wanted... How do I?

[SmoothSailor]

Hey everyone. I live in Warren OH. There is a course here (Young's Run) but I am always working about 45 minutes away from here where there isn't a course around to go shoot before/after work, but there is a righteous park. This park has it all, big open fields, woods, creeks, hills, flats, marshes, etc.

I would like to propose to the town a course in this park, but I don't know the first thing about local politics and getting things started in this manner. I think it would definitely be a good fit in this town, as there are local drug stores who would probably carry discs/equipment and schools nearby where kids could walk from to go play after classes.

Does anyone have any advice for a start off point? Or any advice at all for that matter?

[M3 Power]

idk...i'd talk to parks/recreation for the town...

[1978]

One of the first steps I have found in the courses I have built is proving that you are a capable course designer and builder. When you can go into a park council or town council meeting and can say I have spent 2000 hrs in the last 2 years maintaining or building courses you gain some clout and respect. I would spend time at a local course volunteering and building up your knowledge of course design. This helps the park people feel comfortable that a lot of the work will get done for free by you. Freer is betterer. Second, the parks department stays alive by bringing in people and those people voting to pay to keep parks open. Try to prove that a disc golf course planned safely will attract people to the park. Maybe spend some time at another course and count players. So you can estimate the increased park use per year and present that.

Third I know this sounds wierd but if you get a meeting prepare fully. Be confident and have answers for any question. Cost, Env. impact. etc. Watch a few hours of CSNBC or the channel that just covers the senate and congress stuff. They work similar to that and being respectful and formal will get you a long way. Thank them for having you and thank them at the end. Always show the audience that you are talking to how it is beneficial for them. For example... the environmentalists. Prove to them that clearing underbrush under the canopy of mature trees actually gives them more nutrients and makes them healthier.

I think all you have to do is find out the local town meeting times and get on the agenda...but like I said, be prepared you only have 1 chance to make an impression.

Finding sponsors for crete and baskets is a plus too.

[Steve West]

I'd suggest just asking the City Council member for the Ward the park is in.

http://www.warren.org/wardmap.htm

[SmoothSailor]

I'd suggest just asking the City Council member for the Ward the park is in.

http://www.warren.org/wardmap.htm

Thanks for the link, but I neglected to mention the park I want to propose the idea to is in Hubbard OH. Still works though. I ended up going to high school with a girl whose mom runs the park committee :). I will be talking with her tomorrow morning and see what we can do to get this started.

Anymore ideas are greatly appreciated before the talk tomorrow and possibly an assembly meeting this week. :hfive:

[Steve West]

Don't forget to mention the option of adding disc golf to a golf course. It looks like Donnybrook could use some more revenue.

[SmoothSailor]

I've been doing some reading and listening to the input and I am looking to make a petition to bring with me when I speak to the parks committee. Does anyone have any formats for what the petition should look like to help persuade people to sign it? I am looking to get as many signatures as possible to show overwhelming support of this idea.

[tallpaul]

Pm Shuie....he recently got a new course approved in Oconto, Wis. He had some things going in his favor, but the information he had gathered was very good for presentation. He'll pass along the info he had gathered.