Pros:
ETC ( Earl Thomas Conley ) Riverside Park has a fairly new 9 hole disc golf course ( 2015 ) on the grounds . It is located behind the 2nd of 3 shelters on the premises . The course has natural tees ( some places you are not sure where to stand ) , some basic tee signs on thick posts on 1,2,3 , I think 5 and 6 and 9 . The post was at #4 ( missing a sign ) and I couldn't find the posts for 7 & 8 , so you better print a map so you can Safari 7 & 8 . . The baskets are nice Mach 3's . As far as elevation goes , the course stays pretty flat except for a small valley on 4 , and decent valley on 9 and a hill to throw off of on 6 . The course winds counter clockwise . There is some pretty decent distance for a local course with holes going over 500' ( 6 ) and 600' ( 3 ) . You will have a workout in , as there can be long walks between holes . The general maintenance on the course seemed okay . You may not want to play solo as the punishing rough and soybean fields will eat your blind shot or errant throw . #1 is a deceptively hard straightaway throw with brand new trees guarding the whole fairway . #2 has an open fairway to the right and a tree line on the left . #3 is a tight fairway on the longest hole of the day ( 665' ) . when you walk directly behind the basket ( not to the far right ) , you will face a long walk . Look for a post on your right when the sparse wood opens up . This is the most challenging hole on the course . It is a right to left slightly downhill drive through a narrow fairway/path that plateaus out , then moves slightly uphill and straightaway to the open basket . High thick rough is all around . #5 tee pad plays with the thick rough and woods on the immediate right of the fairway with open ground on the left . #6 has you throwing off the top of a high embankment over some open fairway to the basket sitting in front of the woods . A great hole for bombers . I could not find the tee for 7 , but it must have been on the path behind and to the left of #6's basket . You can safari this hole , but you may want to move up the path some , since the rough is bad on this hole , too , and the path that you throw down is very thin. #8's tee was removed at the time , I guess , but it has you throwing out of the woods and into open air , but with a fence and soybean field in play . #9 tee is off to your right , throwing over a valley and large section of soybeans to the basket , sitting on top of the hill in front of the valley ( in front of a nice playground ) . You will likely have this course all to yourself or be sharing it with one other group/person . Bathrooms and a chance to fill your water bottle are at the shelters . On #9 , my advice to you if you don't throw comfortably over 325' , move way up on the tee sign , even going on to the path to the other side of the valley , in order to not throw into these soybeans . Still , it is a nice finishing hole . Signature hole ? Maybe #4 ,but don't play it without a partner .
Cons:
#1 Where to start and navigation . No kiosk , no " next tee "signs and missing signs on 4,7 & 8 . PRINT A MAP OFF . #2 High and thick rough , and SOYBEANS . I have never played disc golf in a park with soybeans fields all over the place . I wasn't sure if it was a farm or a park , sometimes . There are several places where you have risk/reward for throwing over or near these fields , especially 3 , 6 , 8 & 9 . You don't want to land in these things . If you do , don't take your eyes off the throw you made and try to retrieve your disc . These things were over 2 feet high and will swallow your drive . A total nuisance . #3 danger of hitting someone on the few paths you throw into . Be a good ambassador for disc golf and either check or call out before you throw and a fitness walker takes a driver to the noggin . #4 Long confusing walks . Some of the walks between holes are even longer than the course itself . Bring something to drink . #5 Course may be wet and soggy after a rain . If you play on one of these days , be sure to bring waterproof boots or shoes you don't care about . Some of these spots on the course look like candidates for some serious water retention . DISC RISK is fairly high on holes with high rough and especially the soybean plants .
Other Thoughts:
I am not sure what this park is intended for . Locals ,or Future Farmers Of America students ? If they removed these soybeans and clean up the rough , they have enough room in the park for a decent 18 hole course . If this course was meant for the local population , newbies or families , Then the parks department missed the mark on it . It does not play fast and the course itself encourages long searches for off of the fairway throws , maybe even losing that prized driver of yours . I know that this course My Recommendation : Go ahead and bag this course if you are an out of towner and need the count , but otherwise , it isn't a good fit for most . Just drive on by , maybe playing the much more competitive Black Bear .