Pros:
The first thing to point out is the setting of this course. This is a huge city-owned property that surrounds an old iron-ore mine pit. The pit is now filled with crystal clear water, which only comes into play on one hole. Unlike most other old mine pits on the Iron Range, this land has been reclaimed and has green grass and trees instead of rust-colored tailings.
Layout - The layout of utilizes the woods and elevation very well as it winds around the pit. There are long and short tees on nearly every hole. The holes are fairly balanced, requiring nearly every throw in your arsenal (i.e. long, short, open, tight, up, down, left, right etc.). This course can challenge all skill levels. As stated earlier, there is only one major water-carry from the long tees. Otherwise, the chance of going in the water is minimal, but can happen with unfortunate roll-aways that make it through the trees as all the land slopes downward to the pit. The water is very deep. If your disc ends up 15 feet from the shore, you may see the disc, but it could be 20 feet deep.
Baskets - There are new Prodigy baskets that are orange in color, which makes them highly visible. There are multiple basket positions on most, if not all, holes. Baskets may or may not be visible from the tee, depending on what tee pad is being used and what position the basket is in.
Signage/Navigation - There are beautiful tee signs with accurate footage at every tee box (long and short) as well as a large map at the beginning of the course. This makes it very easy to navigate. Top notch!
Cons:
Tee boxes - It's hard to put this as a con, but the tee boxes are artificial turf. Most of the tee pads are beautiful, but a couple were a bit lumpy.
Mosquitos may be a problem at certain times of the year, but that's the case with any course in northern Minnesota. Mother nature shouldn't be a con, but for travelers from other parts of the country, this needs to be said.
Other Thoughts:
The hard work of all the people involved in the construction of this course shows. Hats off to everyone involved! It is a great addition to the Iron Range disc golf. This place is beautiful!
There aren't any benches yet, but the course is very new. There are some boulders near the tee pads that can be used as seats.
There are a few garbage cans on this course, but if you can pack it in, you can pack it out! (this should be the same at EVERY park).
There is a donation box near hole one. The City manages the donation lock box.
Be careful if you need to enter the water. Old iron ore mining pits are very deep. If you fall in while trying to retrieve a disc, you need to be able to swim. It looks shallow, but it is not.
There isn't too much other park activity nearby, so disc golfers typically have the course to themselves.
A small city-owned campground is about a block away at Stubler Beach.
Bring good hiking footwear and water. Remember to take breaks, enjoy your surroundings, and maybe take a dip at Stubler Beach after the round.
I'm teetering between a 4.0 and a 4.5 rating. I need to play it a couple more times before I can give it a higher score.