Proposed Peenaquim disc golf course drawing some concerns
By Herald on May 10, 2021.
A sign showing the site of a new disc golf course is seen at Peenaquim Park Monday. Herald photo by Al BeeberAl Beeber – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – abeeber@lethbridgeherald.com
A disc golf course planned for Peenaquim Park has caught dog owners by surprise and a developer who has designed many courses in Alberta says he cited opposition to the site years ago.
A large white City of Lethbridge sign with black lettering at the northside dog park has appeared at the park that states “Future home of the Lethbridge West Lions Club disc golf course coming this summer.”
Craig Burrows-Johnson, who designed the Nicholas Sheran course and countless others in Alberta, said Monday the site is inappropriate for such a course.
In 2000, Burrows-Johnson designed, raised funds for and helped build the Nicholas Sheran course for the 2001 Alberta Summer Games.
That park, he said Monday while enroute to Claresholm to look at construction of a course there, is the longest in Canada — “it’s a monster” — but it was built after extensive consultations with neighbours and other community stakeholders.
In 2015, he specfically told the city’s parks department that Peenaquim was not an appropriate site.
“I’m quite opinionated on where they can and cannot go,” Burrows-Johnson said Monday, adding a few courses he designed became controversial because of a lack of consultation.
“You have to proceed very carefully with these.”
In the case of Nicholas Sheran Park, a 135-acre multi-use park in West Lethbridge, the consultation process includied meeting with area residents and demonstrations of disc golf with portable targets. Issues such as parking, safety and concessions were also addressed.
Peenaquim only has about 40 parking spots and by mid-morning on Monday, more than half were filled. Dog walkers told The Herald that on busy days, vehicles are parked in the ditches lining the road that passes the park.
There are also no washroom facilities, which Burrows-Johnson said are important, even if those facilities are portable.
“If the site is good and the plan is solid, then present it to the public” for consultation, he said.
Nicholas Sheran’s course can take up to two hours to play and washroom facilities are necessary, he said.
While Peenaquim Park is a huge area, Burrows-Johnson said “it’s pretty boring and it’s windswept. And it’s terrible to walk on.” He also has concerns about the impact on what he calls a sensitive natural area with potential nesting sites along the riverbank.
Burrows-Johnson recommended to the city that Legacy Park be used for disc golf instead. He said he looked at Henderson Lake, which could potentially be big enough for a nine-basket course “but it’s very crowded.”
Legacy could fit a short 18-basket course, he said.
Burrows-Johnson’s preferred site for a course is across from the Elizabeth Hall wetlands and Par 3 golf course in an area protected by a 20-foot berm. That site, however, was rejected, he said.
“I kind of gave up on Lethbridge because I couldn’t find a site that was politically possible or attractive,” said Burrows-Johnson, who in 2019 was honoured by Alberta Recreation and Parks Association for is work building a network of courses in the province since 1993.
“HIs natural ability to envision the future of the sport of disc golf has enriched the community of Lethbridge which has helped make it a better place to live and play,” said the association.
His interest in disc golf goes back to 1979 when two Americans he met set up a course around a favourite pub in Negril, Jamaica. At the University of Calgary, he helped set up a course there and has been designing and building courses since.
“I wanted to bring the sport to every community in Alberta and it’s really taking off,” he said.
In addition to Drumheller where he will be looking for a site for a third course there, 18-basket courses have also been approved in Nanton and Cardston.
Dog walkers have told The Herald they were surprised to see the sign and have concerns, especially about parking.
“ I only first saw the sign and a bunch of orange markers while there with my girl . I was enjoying the meadowlarks in that area and watching Lola romp, as she absolutely loves the dog runs and that open area. Then I saw the sign and my sense of contentment at having a place such as the dog runs to hang out and interact with my dog and get out into nature (good for the soul as you know) went bye-bye as my stomach sunk. I for one don’t want land where meadowlarks have their homes razed down for levelling for frisbee golf,” said one walker.
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[…] Proposed Peenaquim disc golf course drawing some concerns Lethbridge Herald […]
Again the weak minded mayor/council and employees’ do everything possible to make it’s Taxpayers mad.. Heck put a Timmy’s there, you’d have all city all the time! But No..Just put a sign and go hide behind closed doors..It’s an absolute embarrassment to the city..But as a citizen, we are more than used to it..Lately it’s a monthly occurrence!!
Craig is totally the wrong person to talk to about this issue as he wanted the city to buy disc golf baskets off him and they said n o the conflict of interest to what too huge. He’s just being sore that he’s no “the guy” in this project. It’s actually comical that he’s come out against it as he thinks himself as a disc golf advocate. Come on Lethbridge Herald you can talk to others before writing a one sided article like this.
I also do not think that this is a good place for a frisbee park. The parking lot is very small, there is already a bin for wood chips that people park in front of and fill, and the ground is very bumpy. It is hard to keep your footing sometimes. There are established walking trails for people and dogs. There is also the possibility of conflict between people playingwith the frizbees and dogs trying to get in on the fun. I think that Henerson is a better area with open areas underutilized.