It could be nothing but green for disc golf plans in Barrie.
The city is seeking community input on a proposed concept for a new disc golf course in the Park Place area.
Dave Kelly, a member of the Barrie Disc Golf Club, said it’s well worth a look.
“This would be another option for members of the club to enjoy. Having the ability to take pressure off of an already very busy location at Sandy Hollow would be great,” he said. “I’m very excited about this property myself. It has everything needed to be a successful and well-used location.”
Barrie’s Sandy Hollow disc golf course on Ferndale Drive North is 20 holes spread across approximately 15 acres in the buffer zone between the city’s landfill and the surrounding community. It is among the most used courses in Canada, but it may need to be used in the future for the city’s landfill needs.
Disc golf is played much like golf, but instead of a ball and clubs, players use a flying disc which is to be thrown into an elevated basket. Players with the fewest throws win each hole, or the game.
The new survey could help answer some questions about the city-owned land adjacent to Park Place being considered, which has a quasi walking path, with some sensitive environmental conditions.
“The current survey is to gather feedback and highlight general concerns,” Kelly said. “We recognize that there have been a few concerns regarding potential tree removal. People see the words 'golf course' and immediately think about wide-open spaces.
“In contrast to traditional golf, disc golf can be played in wooded areas and is a lot closer to creating a new trail than clear-cutting trees,” he added. “Being in the forest while playing is a big part of the allure for many players. It’s a great way to get out for a hike with some added challenge.”
Coun. Jim Harris has noted this property is not large enough for a soccer field or ball park.
City staff would investigate the feasibility, needs and cost to develop a nine hole disc golf course.
If approved as a new disc golf site, Harris has said his community project fund could pay some of the cost.
Each councillor has this fund, with $25,000 for the term of council (2022-26) for projects within their ward.
Kelly says the Barrie Disc Golf Club has approximately 200 members, but that number reflects a small percentage of people enjoying the game locally.
“We would anticipate some increase in the number of members participating in organized event nights, however that’s not a primary focus,” he said. “Disc golf is a great, low-cost activity that allows players to get some exercise while connecting with nature.
“We have players from five to 70-plus years old enjoying the sport here in Barrie," Kelly added. "Creating opportunities for more people to experience the joy of disc golf is the driving factor in expanding the current capacity.”
A memo from city parks planning manager Kevin Bradley says staff support the need for a study when considering the proposed timing of the closure of the existing disc golf course at Sandy Hollow.
Bradley also said the city should not undertake stand-alone studies on an individual sport-by-sport basis (pickleball, cricket, disc golf), but advance a parks strategic plan to provide community-driven, sustainable and city-wide direction for all aspects of the city’s investment, service delivery and strategic initiatives guiding the future planning, design, acquisition, improvement, management, operations, programming and use of city parks, natural heritage land and open spaces.
The city is asking for community input on a proposed concept for a new disc golf course in the Park Place area. Feedback is needed to determine the level of interest in adding a course at this location.
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Once the public consultation is complete, a staff report with the results of the investigation will be presented to Barrie’s infrastructure and community investment committee in October of this year.
