Peenaquim not a suitable site for a disc golf course

By Letter to the Editor on May 12, 2021.

Editor: Re: disc golf letter from Pat Derksen. In the year 2000, I designed, fund-raised and helped build the disc golf course at Nicholas Sheran Park for use in the 2001 Alberta Seniors Games.
Following a thorough review of a number of site locations, this very large (135 acre) manicured multi-use park was selected as the best place in Lethbridge to build one of Canada’s best (and the longest) disc golf courses.
The process I followed with the Games Committee and City of Lethbridge staff in 2000 included a thoughtful and comprehensive review of existing park uses at ‘NSP,’ an intensive design process with City staff and most importantly, a robust community consultation with all stakeholders and nearby residents.
The course at NSP was built and has proved to be highly successful and very popular.
In 2015, following a decade and a half of recreational disc golf at NSP, and having run many tournaments at the park (including one PDGA International event), I was asked to search for possible locations for a second disc golf in Lethbridge with City Parks.
My search included a review of the site at Peenaquim Park.
My advice to City Parks in 2015 was that this location was not appropriate for a busy disc golf course due to a dearth of amenities, including a lack of parking.
It was also my view that this site was inappropriate because the park contained a fairly sensitive natural area.
Although a properly designed disc golf is, in my view, a very environmentally friendly and passive activity, there can be impacts.
In my 20+ years of designing and building these courses across Alberta, I have learned that disc golf does not work in every type of park.
I also learned the hard way that a lack of community consultation with all stakeholders may lead to future conflicts between park guests.
My recommendation to Lethbridge city council would be to reconsider Peenaquim as a location for a second disc golf course in our city and to consider other, more appropriate, sites.
Craig Burrows-Johnson
PDGA Grandmaster
Disc Golf Course Designer
Lethbridge

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