Just ridiculous--threats over a proposed DG course?!

[jhgonzo]

Council votes down McHenry disc golf layout (http://www.nwherald.com/articles/2009/10/13/r_ivtzvdfaqykufuwfho6l_g/index.xml)

[Midnightbiker]

This quote from the comment section made me laugh:

Quote:Majority Rules wrote on October 13, 2009 7:50 a.m.

"NO.....that's the mantra repeated all over this County. MEG is right.....just a bunch of NIMBYs that get their debate skills from the Republican party. Frisby golf......oooohhh, so scary! It won't be played at night or in the winter or inclement weather......!!!!!" Qutoe


This guy has no idea how much we love the game.

That being said, I wish that more disc golfers could have made a better case.

[jhgonzo]

If you liked the comments on that article, you should read the numerous statements on this article (http://www.startribune.com/sports/44646172.html) written by a columnist who obviously is misinformed about our wonderful sport ("Soon, the young ones will be warned to remain attentive so as not to get hit in the face with a Frisbee," and "There's a Frisbee golf circuit two blocks from my house. I'm by there daily and never have seen a participant older than 25."), and some of the comments parallel that of the writer:

"Contrived, invented games to fill in the empty, meaningless lives of the modern, urban citizen - have a read of Aldous Huxley's classic and see the obvious parallel with a bizarre game like 'Disc Golf' (sic). The planners and 'modern folks' believe that empty spaces are not productive, do not consume goods, and dangerously allow for anarchic enjoyment of nature instead of organized 'fun' with rules and boundaries. Can't nature be enjoyed for its own sake? Does everything have to be commercialized. Good luck to the locals in their fight against this unnecessary imposition on nature."

"I bought my home 8 months ago in Robbinsdale because it was so close to these wonderful natural areas. I use the Sochacki Park area multiple times weekly to walk my dogs. I meet at least 6 other walkers or bikers on every pass. I just became aware of this issue, and you WILL see me at the City meeting. I hope to see other park users there as well. Why take a multiple use land space and make it single use? I don't even know anyone who plays 'disc sports' anymore. This would be a complete waste of land."

"Disc golf had its time in the early 80's as well. Soon you saw empty overgrown disc golf courses everywhere. What a waste of beautiful park area. This is nothing more than a fad that only few enjoy."

I did notice a pro-course comment from a "scarpfish," who I can only assume is the beloved DGCR member of the same moniker.

In the end, the above course proposal was shot down in order to preserve a former dump/fill park area for the NIMBYs who want to let their dogs crap all over.

[BrotherDave]

Well, time to light up the molotov cocktails. And I'd say that 95% of these "concerned" dog owners probably never pick up their crap. Let's see, what's worse? Your young child getting hookworm via dog feces or people enjoying themselves throwing discs?

[vonDrehle]

Well, time to light up the molotov cocktails. And I'd say that 95% of these "concerned" dog owners probably never pick up their crap. Let's see, what's worse? Your young child getting hookworm via dog feces or people enjoying themselves throwing discs?

Well sometimes that hookworm can be like the brother you never had.

[Jungle Tim]

This guy has no idea how much we love the game.




Amen brother

[CwAlbino]

Wow... I think that russeu guy should be fired. Not because he's dissing disc golf, but because he's a horrible reporter. Clearing land for disc golf? What sport is he talking about!?!?

[BrotherDave]

Disc Golf?

Lame. If you want to walk through the woods, hike a trail. If you want to play frisbee, throw it back and forth like normal people. Disc golf courses are a waste of space.

This is by far and away my favorite comment on there, anybody want to be normal and throw my Boss back and forth with me? I had to leave a little comment on there.

I might have to make that quote my signature. :)

[tstack10]

that is rediculous...
all I have to say is before you knock it try it first and you see that it is a blessing and not a curse.

[thepowerofpancakes]

What would you want in your neighborhood deer, chipmunks and rabbits or 50MPH flying discs.

I like this one, cause disc golf kills off wild life. i love it.

I always say don't bother trying to get a course near neighborhoods, the people who live near parks think they and their neighbors are the only ones entitled to use the park, they dont want anyone else coming around their homes and they will complain to the city unceasingly.

[thepowerofpancakes]

Well, time to light up the molotov cocktails. And I'd say that 95% of these "concerned" dog owners probably never pick up their crap. Let's see, what's worse? Your young child getting hookworm via dog feces or people enjoying themselves throwing discs?

Hey, a little hookworm ain't all bad :D it prevents allergies ;)

[thepowerofpancakes]

This quote from the comment section made me laugh:

Quote:Majority Rules wrote on October 13, 2009 7:50 a.m.

"NO.....that's the mantra repeated all over this County. MEG is right.....just a bunch of NIMBYs that get their debate skills from the Republican party. Frisby golf......oooohhh, so scary! It won't be played at night or in the winter or inclement weather......!!!!!" Qutoe


This guy has no idea how much we love the game.

That being said, I wish that more disc golfers could have made a better case.

I'm confused, it looks like this guy and the previous poster Meg are on the side of the disc golfers, they're calling the neighborhood people NIMBYs. As to how effective that is, well thats another issue....

[thepowerofpancakes]

I like this one, cause disc golf kills off wild life. i love it.

I always say don't bother trying to get a course near neighborhoods, the people who live near parks think they and their neighbors are the only ones entitled to use the park, they dont want anyone else coming around their homes and they will complain to the city unceasingly.

this guy here proves my point

"Hey meg and majority, can we build a disc golf park in your back yard? If you respond, just answer the question."

[thepowerofpancakes]

Yep, Disc Golf is evil...
It's:
A. Growing fast and enjoyed by all ages.
B. Cheaper than virtually any activity.C. Exercise (the shame of it all!)
D. Not damaging or intrusive to parks/nature.
All opposed, please pick up Fido's piles and fill your oral cavity with them. Thank You.

posted by brotherdave on Oct 14, 09 at 11:44 p


blahahahahahaha, waytogo brotherdave :)

[mmyersdisc]

im so glad im not in either of those towns! holy crap that would piss me off!! People are SOOO oblivious these days its sickening? I think IF you were the one proposing this I would have bought some cheap ass discs and set one on every "against this crap" persons door and leave them a note saying throw me...see how many would actually do it or are too good to do it...people get so greedy with land that isn't even theres it makes you wonder what kind of kids they are raising....people need to open there eyes...yes I will agree alot of punk ass kids disc golf...well not alot but a few, but us good ones should offset that a little bit...or at least it would be appreciated...

[mmyersdisc]

I also had to comment on that article...people aggrivate me lol

[simpletwist]

"Disc golf had its time in the early 80's as well. Soon you saw empty overgrown disc golf courses everywhere. What a waste of beautiful park area. This is nothing more than a fad that only few enjoy."


Love this comment. :rolleyes: My home course is the oldest in the area. Built sometime in the 80s. And then expanded to 27 holes sometime later on. Now there are at least 8 other courses in the area and 2 have been built in the last 2 years.

Disc golf is a fad just like skateboarding. :D At least that's what folks thought about skateboarding in the 60s. Now look at it. Network coverage of main events. Skateboarding who's origins are around the same time frame has major sponsors asnd has gone almost as mainstream as other professional sports. And the stoner stigma of skateboarding has all but evaporated from mainstream consciousness.

When trying to convince your local administrators about allowing a course to be built maybe it would be helpful to use skateboarding as an example of how wrong the "fad" and "stoner" stigmas are. And there are a lot fewer injuries from discin than skateboarding.

[jrawk]

just a bunch of NIMBYs that get their debate skills from the Republican party.

No republican would claim environmental reasons to stop the course. If they did, shame shame shame. :-p

Apart from being my first post, this scares me a bit. I was seriously considering pitching a dgc to my local Park and Rec. Will have to explore that idea a bit more.

[DGWookie]

I wonder if this proposed DGC was to be anywhere near the Woodstock Country Club? Snobs are rarely open to the game...

[Camgolfer]

Quotes I enjoyed from the comments of the Reusse Story:

"I don't even know anyone who plays "disc sports" anymore. This would be a complete waste of land."- zanymage

"There are already too many Frisbee Golf courses. what a stupid game"-mattrix6

"Frisbee golf is a wonderful invention. Gives all the potheads something to do during the day while the rest of the world tries to hold down jobs."-murphs

"Lame. If you want to walk through the woods, hike a trail. If you want to play frisbee, throw it back and forth like normal people. Disc golf courses are a waste of space."-ewskelton

[Peterb]

I'll caveat my comment by stating that I have no idea what the true political/environmental situation at this proposed disc golf course. I will say that we disc golfers need to be aware that our beloved sport does indeed have an environmental footprint, though of course it is FAR less than that of regular golf or even of a set of tennis courts. Building a disc golf course in or around a designated wetland is generally a bad idea. Wetlands are important ecosystems and are disappearing all too rapidly from the American landscape...mostly due to sprawling development.

Nimbyism will always be an issue. People aren't very receptive to change. Disc golfers can ingratiate themselves to a community by demonstrating responsible design standards in terms of safety, environmentally sensitive, and fun courses. There are several environmental mitigations that can be utilized in disc golf. Some examples from my home course (Golden Gate Park San Francisco) are the use of nets protecting important trees, wood chips around baskets and tees, terracing to reduce erosion, and an annual planting of native species in and around the course area.

A design with these guidelines will help win over the non nimby opposition. As for them, make the strong case that public parks are for people...not just certain people!

Good luck!

[scarpfish]

I've been reading a few past articles on the proposed McHenry course on Google News. If the piece of land is the fragile wetland that the local homeowners say it is, it would not have made that great of a course, coupled with the fact that access to the park would have to be achieved by use of residential streets. That is something for those homeowners to be concerned about, especially when you consider some disc golfers affection for not being able to play without a barley pop or other intoxicating beverage in their hands, which they have no shame in strewing their empties about the course.

Yes, I've seen cases where a bunch of local NIMBYists think a public park is an extension of their backyard, but this doesn't seem like the case.

Besides, the directory says there are 68 courses within 50 miles of McHenry, so its not like DG'ers don't have other places to play (although a lot of them look like lame 9 holers). No big loss.

[Swisher Streets]

$150k for a parking lot?? Park on the street..

[scarpfish]

$150k for a parking lot?? Park on the street..
And make street traffic conditions that much worse for the people who reside in that neighborhood by doing so. Not something to blow off when you may be talking 100+ people on the course (hence perhaps at least 30 cars).

A good reason why a course shouldn't be built there.

[humchris85]

Wow! ILLINOIS SUCKS! (jk... kinda)

What's wrong with people out there that they would threatin someone over wanting to put a DG course in?

[Midnightbiker]

$150k for a parking lot?? Park on the street..

For just a few grand, you could get a couple of dump truck loads of rocks and gravel, and some railroad ties, and you can build a parking lot. I have been to a lot of outdoor places that make a parking lot like this.

Used railroad ties are a dime a dozen or 12 for 10 cents, depending on where you shop.

[Dave242]

Even though I live in the same county as this, I have not followed this closely and am still working on getting informed.

Lake County IL has more than 27,300 acres of Forest Preserve land - see this Map (http://www.lcfpd.org/preserves/index.cfm?fuseaction=preserves.view)
This is land specifically set aside for preservation. Lake county is a leader in this area with the amount of forest and wetland preserves

Given that, other city park land is specified for use as recreation. The McHenry website makes no mention of their mission to provide nature/forest/wetlands preserve. So, those complaining about this aspect are blowing hot air. The cost of the parking lot sounds like the real issue.

[thepowerofpancakes]

I agree we should take the environmental aspect of course selection and design seriously. But it seems to me that building houses and streets on wetlands is what destroys wetlands, walking and throwing discs on them would generally be ok. Isnt the idea of wetlands to store excess water and to provide some kind of buffer (i'm really only familiar with coastal wetlands). Anyway, all im saying is these people built their houses on this land and now they want to use the sacred wetlands defense against using the park.

that being said some battles arent worth fighting, if there were concerns that could be mediated that would be one thing. but a full on battle with residents probably wont end up being any good for disc golf in the long run....

[craigg]

150K would pay for a parking lot nearly an acre in size. (I'm a construction estimator - I know this to be accurate)

While there may be perfectly legitimate concerns about traffic, and the appropriate nature of land use - it seems the planning people didn't do a realistic evaluation of costs associated with the proposed development.

Also from what I read - they were anticipating traffic of ~80 cars a day, which also seems on the high end (like more than double). Either the parks people or the planning people were getting bad information - or no information from the DG community about potential use.

With any luck, the local DG community can find a better site with less immediate conflicts.

[Dave242]

It is tough in IL to find public land for DG courses. The county is chartered to gather up preservation land and the towns'/cities' recreation parks are almost always small - made up of ball fields and parking lots. So, they are usually without the unused/unusable land that is perfect for DG courses to use.

[skinner21]

that is rediculous...
all I have to say is before you knock it try it first and you see that it is a blessing and not a curse.

This was my first thought after I read through both articles and their respective comments.

No republican would claim environmental reasons to stop the course. If they did, shame shame shame. :-p

Apart from being my first post, this scares me a bit. I was seriously considering pitching a dgc to my local Park and Rec. Will have to explore that idea a bit more.

Don't be deterred. We have to keep fighting the good fight against the ignorant.

Used railroad ties are a dime a dozen or 12 for 10 cents, depending on where you shop.

I got a nice laugh out of that.

As for the McHenry one, I unfortunatly have to agree with the towns folk if this truly is a wetland conservation area. That really is more important than a DG course. Find some place else to put it. and $150k for a parking lot is not realistic at all.

for the Strib peice... wow, that was the most uninformed POS I have ever read. Not to mention disrespectful. Calling soccer fans "weenies"? Really? That's how a professional writer gets his point across? Maybe in MN that flies, but that guy should be out of a job for the crap he put out. and the truly sad part about it is that it worked and this old fart won and the course was nixed.

[80playedin10states]

just to add a "funny" story from my local anti-golfing buddies..in jamesville, ny there is a nice big park with a golf course sharing land with a dog walking park. works ok with us but the dog walkers complain constantly."why would they put a frisbee golf course in a dog park"..we fire back with "share the park please and clean up your feces"..i'm tired of stepping in crap and having my 15 dollar discs chewed by dogs..had one owner threaten to call the police on me. her dog chewed a brand new star destroyer to bits after i parked a hole..i was polite at first saying "that's what dogs do, but it was almost 20 bucks"..she said "it's only a goddamn frisbee"..so i asked if i could come to her house and smash 20 bucks worth of her stuff..her jaw dropped and she threatened to have me arrested? funny stuff

[billnchristy]

You coulda picked her dog up and chucked it in the basket.

[DiscChucker]

It's been mentioned several times that this park was once a landfill. So it was once a landfill and now it's a precious wetland? hmmmm... ok

[CwAlbino]

just to add a "funny" story from my local anti-golfing buddies..in jamesville, ny there is a nice big park with a golf course sharing land with a dog walking park. works ok with us but the dog walkers complain constantly."why would they put a frisbee golf course in a dog park"..we fire back with "share the park please and clean up your feces"..i'm tired of stepping in crap and having my 15 dollar discs chewed by dogs..had one owner threaten to call the police on me. her dog chewed a brand new star destroyer to bits after i parked a hole..i was polite at first saying "that's what dogs do, but it was almost 20 bucks"..she said "it's only a goddamn frisbee"..so i asked if i could come to her house and smash 20 bucks worth of her stuff..her jaw dropped and she threatened to have me arrested? funny stuff

haha threatened to have you arrested!? For what? You could have had HER arrested for destruction of your property.

[80playedin10states]

that is exactly what i told her albino as she was walking away...maybe that's why she didn't call the police? i guess she figured i threatened her stating i would like to destroy her things and claim, "it's only a chair"

[humchris85]

just to add a "funny" story from my local anti-golfing buddies..in jamesville, ny there is a nice big park with a golf course sharing land with a dog walking park. works ok with us but the dog walkers complain constantly."why would they put a frisbee golf course in a dog park"..we fire back with "share the park please and clean up your feces"..i'm tired of stepping in crap and having my 15 dollar discs chewed by dogs..had one owner threaten to call the police on me. her dog chewed a brand new star destroyer to bits after i parked a hole..i was polite at first saying "that's what dogs do, but it was almost 20 bucks"..she said "it's only a goddamn frisbee"..so i asked if i could come to her house and smash 20 bucks worth of her stuff..her jaw dropped and she threatened to have me arrested? funny stuff

I would have called the cops on her while she was calling them on you.:p

[jhgonzo]

"share the park please and clean up your feces"..

Great slogan for a t-shirt! Maybe even a DG t-shirt if you include a photo of a disc lodged javelin-style in a pile of crap just under the basket...

[skinner21]

It's been mentioned several times that this park was once a landfill. So it was once a landfill and now it's a precious wetland? hmmmm... ok

I think you are confusing the two articles that were posted. The one in IL was the wetlands and the one in MN was the converted dump.

[DiscChucker]

I think you are confusing the two articles that were posted. The one in IL was the wetlands and the one in MN was the converted dump.

Ahhh... Thank you skinner!

[80playedin10states]

Great slogan for a t-shirt! Maybe even a DG t-shirt if you include a photo of a disc lodged javelin-style in a pile of crap just under the basket...

this is an awesome idea!! i will send it thru the proper channels, see what comes out the other side..some people now just say, "how come they put a dog park on a disc golf course"..that really burns 'em up..

[Midnightbiker]

"it's only a goddamn frisbee"..so i asked if i could come to her house and smash 20 bucks worth of her stuff..her jaw dropped and she threatened to have me arrested? funny stuff

Man, I wish she would have called the cops. Maybe they would have had her pay for the disc. She had no idea what she was talking about.

[solomon.trenton]

Man, I wish she would have called the cops. Maybe they would have had her pay for the disc. She had no idea what she was talking about.the constitution says anything 20 bucks and over you can take them to court for.

[prerube]

I am not 100% sure here, while I am sure that is stated in a law, but I do not think it is in the constitution.

[REDARMY]

I am not 100% sure here, while I am sure that is stated in a law, but I do not think it is in the constitution.

correct. property laws vary by state, even county.

but the lady still deserves to pay for the disc and get a foot in the ass for letting it happen.

[shirfan]

I'm wondering why a wetland was picked as a possible site anyway. Quite a few of the courses I play are built on perfectly dry parkland, yet they have large portions of fairway underwater after spring thaw or heavy rains.

The true wetlands around here would be absolutely unsuitable for disc golf year round.

[BrotherDave]

correct. property laws vary by state, even county.

but the lady still deserves to pay for the disc and get a foot in the ass for letting it happen.

Who let's their dog chew on anything that doesn't belong to them? Regardless of whether or not that it was a disc, that's a dick move any day of the week.

[80playedin10states]

Who let's their dog chew on anything that doesn't belong to them? Regardless of whether or not that it was a disc, that's a dick move any day of the week.


she was laughing about it.."it's only a goddamn frisbee.." this is the part in the story where i quit being polite..:D