For seasonal reasons or This-is-Detroit-and-we-can't-have-nice-things reasons?

I got to play a couple tournaments there this summer, and aside from the worst poison ivy of my life, the course is outstanding. It is not open to play outside of a couple of special events, for which special permission was obtained. The deal to make the island a state park has been finalized, though many decisions are yet to be made as to where the state intends to spend money. It is my understanding that the city has closed the ball course, on which the disc course is located, and deemed the land as not being used. If the disc course were to open the city would have had to change the status of that piece of land, impacting taxation and insurance needs. They obviously were in no position to do so. I am not sure where the process is with the state. Disc Golf Scene usually has information and contacts to ask via the talk section. Keep you fingers crossed.

Tecumseh Michigan was supposed to get a really challenging nine hole at Jon smith park. I've seen the layout and it looks pro calibre however now it's basically just a big ass field.

Some good news and some bad news?

First, the kinda bad news...

-----PENDING COURSES-------
--Al Quaal-Teal Lake DGC-- Ishpeming {18 Holes}
--Al Quaal-Olympic Trail DGC-- Ishpeming {18 Holes}
--Ella Sharp Park-- Jackson {18 Holes}
--Grand Isle-- Belmont {18 Holes}
--Homestead Greens DGC-- Harvey {18 Holes}
--James Nelson Park-- Sterling Heights {18 Holes}
--Memorial Course-- Republic {18 holes}
--Rolling Hills County Park [2nd Course]-- {18 Holes}
--Rotary Park-- Livonia {18 Holes}
--Wolcott Mill Metropark-- Ray {18 Holes} Haven't heard anything else about it in over a year :(
--Baker's Field Park-- Port Huron {9-18 Holes} Haven't heard anything in 2 years :(
--BC State Rec Area-- Bay City {9-18 Holes}
--Columbus Park-- Columbus {9-18 Holes} We're a pretty low priority. They're in no rush :(
--Independence Green DGC-- Farmington Hills {9-18 Holes}
--Ramona Park-- Portage {9-18 Holes}
--Rosevear Park-- Owosso {9-18 Holes}

The good news...
Stony Creek ~ might be expanding to 36 holes this year!

Mill Creek ~ I've moved my private course to a new location with more space. I'm hoping to have it complete by this April if the snow will start melting.

has anyone heard more on Grand Isle? I have pm'd that dude like 3 times asking to help.

Thanks for the update Donny. I will try to get a contact name for the Metro Parks about Walcott Mills, and see if there is any movement.

Probably would have better luck with obtaining inside info by getting a hold of John M from the Motor City Chain Gang. He and his team have been doing most of the work in the Macomb and Oakland County areas. They take care of a bunch of local courses and have great tourneys. I'm pretty sure they're the ones leading the way for:

Stony Creek ~ expansion
Addison Oaks ~ expansion
Riverbends ~ re-design/expansion
James Nelson Park in Sterling Heights ~ planned for 18 holes
Wolcott Mill in Ray Township ~ planned for 18 holes

And I'm sure many more. With land still pricey in that neck of the woods, the parks are really the only place you're going to get any new courses.

True, John is a machine. I got out to Riverbends late this fall, and while not quite complete, the re design is going to be fantastic. Keep up the great work Donny and keep us posted on your place.

I haven't played at the Bends since they first started the redesign in late 2012. It was one of the first courses I played back in the day and was really cool until they put in the paved walk/bike paths. I don't recall the grass being as bad in the late 90's either. I'm glad the guys were allowed to correct the problems at Riverbends. Hopefully the parks dept can keep it mowed more often.

Any updates on Ramona's attempt at a DGC? I know it's been in the works for a little while but aside from the classic "we're gonna put one in at some point" I've heard next to nothing about it..

Anyone know anything about Bay City putting in a course , I heard they had money raised and gave it back calling things off . any truth to that.

Looks like Grand Isle finally got approved and should be in this year

Great news. Part of an old swat golf course, huh? Sounds promising as well.

I posted in the Grand Rapids Disc Return group, looks like they are waiting on swamp info and for the snow to melt.

That's good news. I think trying to raise $18,000 is going to be quite a challenge, even if they do allow hole sponsors. I'm excited for a new course on the NE end, though. I had emailed the Parks and Rec. Director late last year, but it's been radio silence since then. I'm also interested in finding out more about the club that has been mentioned.

Typically Grand Isle floods worse than Riverside...

The Detroit Disc Golf team is working with the state, and things are moving forward. We are hoping to have the course open for daily play sometime summer 2014.

Scott: thanks for your work on this!
The way it's in a fenced in section, it seems feasible to make it pay to play, (just so it's somewhat financially self-sustaining), but I don't know that greens fees would even cover the cost of hiring people to collect greens fees. I'd just hate to see them open it, and have things go south for being a financial drain or people vandalizing it (which seems to diminish quite a bit when someone's present collecting fees).

Dwayne - good concerns to have, but trust me these are the same concerns that we all have. We are working on a sustainable model understanding that it may take a while for the regular player base to develop. It will help to have a very high quality course to work with though. That always helps ;) ..

Last I heard was that the county executive gave support to the guy proposing a Bay City dg course to talk to the Boys and Girls Club, sugar beat factory, etc. about building a course on the middle grounds. Would be a unique spot for a course, but based on the way the project fizzled, I think it's back to square 1. Another location they were considering was the area between Kolb School/Southwest Little League and Labadie's car dealership, but it's private property. There was also discussion about using the park by the Wanigan, across the river from the Boys and Girls Club, but it's a very small piece of land and the supporters of the project wanted commitment to an 18 hole course. Here's a link from February 27, 2013: Bay City disc golf course advocate: If you build it, they will come...

Bay City State Park would 100% support putting a course in, but they are underfunded and space would still be a question. I am not following the issue, but they are applying for a $30,000 grant to put in some kind of boardwalk: Bay City State Park one step closer to getting boardwalk. So, dg is on the backburner for them anyway.

To be honest, the commissioners involved, the county executive, and the parks and rec director all seemed supportive, but you can really tell that the problem is basically space/location. There just isn't an ideal location. There are good spots, but there are so many factors that need to work out just right that likely won't just come together without a HUGE push.

I think the middle grounds would be the perfect spot, close to downtown and close to everything yet the land cannot be used for anything else due to it being a former landfill. It is a huge piece of land right in the city just begging for something to make it useful.

I had a meeting with the park director of Bay City a while back. The middle grounds was the only place in his mind that an 18 hole course would fit. I agreed and drew together a badass layout. After a few days I got a call from him saying the city was not going to allow for it because of it being a former landfill. End of story unfortunately..

that blows

Thanks for the follow up Scott. You guys have been doing great things, thanks a ton. Man, that course could be amazing. If help is needed on anything, feel free to shoot me PM. Keep us posted. :thmbup:

what about the fair grounds that land is seldom used anymore

I thought it was sold. Magic Johnson...I think I saw that somewhere.

That doesn't necessarily have to be the end of the story. The former landfill issue could be addressed, and should be. If safety for disc golf is a problem, then why isn't anyone questioning the safety for people taking their dogs there, playing soccer/football there, or flying RC planes and copters? The amount of money it would take to clean the soil would be outrageous, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't happen. Additionally, we discussed the possibility of above-ground baskets as an option. No reason that couldn't be done.

They also scouted other spots and even agreed on a couple spots for <18 holes, but like I said before, the person proposing the course wanted 18 holes on the middle grounds and that was about it.

sure is a shame that there is no course in Bay City. All the work they do to bring people into the city, why do they stop short. Most other communities are adding disc golf courses at a record pace , not sure why Bay City has not caught on to that . Maybe someone should take there officials down to wicks park in Saginaw and see all the people of every age enjoying there park. There is almost a group on every tee box on a nice summer night. No reason B.C. can't have the same thing.

Bay City really isn't opposed to the idea at all. Disc golf is an occasional hobby of the Parks and Rec Director actually (how occasional, I don't know). The problem really is physical space/land, and then who owns that land. Examine the city in Google Maps, find a spot, find out who actually owns the land, and propose it. The city is more than willing to listen. The county executive would be optimistic. Any commissioner would be willing to support it also, I bet. Growth is good.

My personal opinion is that a good location for a disc golf course in Bay City might not exist, and we're very fortunate to have Memorial Park, Wickes Woods, Tittabawassee Trails, Chippewa Banks, and The Jungle within a 30-40min drive. Not to mention Deerfield Park, Holly Woods, Goldenrod, and Grayling Rotary are within 60-75min of Bay City.

That being said, the only other possible location I can think of that wasn't fully explored was the old Alkali property. At the request of the city, I personally collected over 15 letters of recommendation from communities around Michigan with disc golf courses and submitted them as part of the original middle grounds proposal. They could still be used. I'd be happy to pass them on...

time to do some google searches for new courses.

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.p...52388562296844

Paradise Township February 27 at 11:20am · (kingsley, mi)
A course map for a new Disc Golf Course at Mayfield Pond Park has been submitted for consideration to the Township Board. There is currently a Disc Golf Course at Civic Center South. Also, there is a proposed non-motorized trail plan being pursued that would connect Civic Center South to Mayfield Pond Park.
What do you think? Is a Disc Golf Course at Mayfield Pond Park something that the Township Board should consider? Would this be a "good fit" for Mayfield Pond Park? Please comment below or send us a message. Thanks!

this one is still going?

Henrietta Township has a unique opportunity to promote your business by providing promotional discs for a Disc Golf Course at the Pleasant Lake County Park.

The Henrietta Township Recreation Team, in partnership with the Jackson County Parks and Recreation Department, is establishing a Disc Golf Course at the Pleasant Lake County Park. The addition of the Disc Golf activity will provide opportunity to enhance community use of the park, and improve health and quality of place for residents and visitors alike. Read more about this and how your business can contribute.

http://www.enterprisegroup.org/image...ect_082013.pdf

sand lake, mi
http://www.nelsontownship.org/minute...%20Meeting.pdf
c) Resolution*2014-003:*Austin*moved,*supported*by*Mahoney*moved*to*h aving*the*Kent*County
Parks*Department*Construct*a*Nine-Hole*Disc*Golf*Course*in*Gordon*Park*utilizing*Com munity
Development*Block*Grant*(CDBG)*Funds*in*the*amount *of*$15,000.00*for*the*2014*calendar*year.
All*ayes,*motion*passed.

Nice!

ross township says they want a course or a skate park within 1-2 years.
http://www.ross-township.us/Ross-Tow...an-Adopted.pdf

also something about hickory glen park in commerce twp wanting a course.

I keep getting facebook notifications about a new course in Fife Lake, known for now as
"Carter's Course" it is supposed to be at the springfield township rec area. this is all I know for now

did someone we know make it? :popcorn:

had more to do with the city government issues than anything from what I've heard

he can't make anything besides poops and even then someone has to hold his hand

I just deuced, but no one was holding my hand :o

proud of you.