forest park? - New Courses

ryanajanes · #1 May 31st, 2009, 11:13 PM

me and my friends have always wondered why their isn't any disc golf courses in forest park in the west hills of portland? it seems like they could put in at least 1 if not several courses. i mean the park is HUGE. lemme know your guys thoughts. maybe their is something i don't know.

dan · #2 May 31st, 2009, 11:48 PM

Dude, you're speaking my language. I sound like a broken record.

There should be 72 at Forest Park. There should be 72 at Forest Park. There should be 72 at Forest Park.

I have, however, taken no initiative to get anything done. I have a feeling there would be a few large barriers. I'd guess the biggest would be getting approval to cut fairways through spaces that are hailed as "natural."

Anyone know a good first step for testing the waters? Call/email someone at the parks dept? <caugh> Adam? <caugh>

Adam Schneider · #3 May 31st, 2009, 11:54 PM

I'm only taking on one quixotic task at a time...

ryanajanes · #4 June 1st, 2009, 01:02 AM

only 72, think bigger hahah

zippyboy · #5 June 1st, 2009, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

I'm only taking on one quixotic task at a time...

Really? You seem to have your hands in about 17 different projects (rough estimation) right now. Which one are you deeming quixotic?

I slay windmills.

Scott · #6 June 1st, 2009, 06:55 AM

To get a course in Forest Park you'll need to take on the Forest Park Conservancy who, based on their mission (conservation and habitat restoration among other things) would put up quite a fight.

Adam Schneider · #7 June 1st, 2009, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zippyboy

Really? You seem to have your hands in about 17 different projects (rough estimation) right now. Which one are you deeming quixotic?

I was referring to the Harmony campus in Milwaukie, the only one where I'm the head cheerleader. It's not necessarily quixotic -- yet -- but sometimes it feels like it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

To get a course in Forest Park you'll need to take on the Forest Park Conservancy who, based on their mission (conservation and habitat restoration among other things) would put up quite a fight.

Yup. As far as I know, they don't allow ANYTHING other than trails in Forest Park. Didn't they get pretty mad a couple years ago when someone put up some kind of guerrila art installation?

If you're looking for wooded hillsides inside the PDX city limits, I think you might have better luck with Kelly Butte. I know Jerry Miller's had his eye on it for a while, but I don't remember why it hasn't gone anywhere. (Maybe it's just too steep.)

Also, Powell Butte would be PERFECT for disc golf, but I think there's a powerful "Friends" group there too.

dan · #8 June 1st, 2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

Also, Powell Butte would be PERFECT for disc golf, but I think there's a powerful "Friends" group there too.

Adam, I just want to make sure I'm hearing you right. It sounds like you're saying that the group fighting against disc golf wherever we go is the Quakers.

Adam Schneider · #9 June 1st, 2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan

Adam, I just want to make sure I'm hearing you right. It sounds like you're saying that the group fighting against disc golf wherever we go is the Quakers.

That's right... the Friends of Pier Park, Friends of Powell Butte, Friends of Robin Hill, Friends of Bidwell Park, etc., are all part of a vast pacifist egalitarian conspiracy.

Scott · #10 June 1st, 2009, 10:57 AM

I had the same thoughts about Powell Butte.

But that site is already firmly established as a natural area and has a strong group of supporters that will defend it to the death.

Think of this scenario: A group of naturalists would like to set aside several acres in Milo McIver for a bird sanctuary. Naturally, the baskets will have to come out. Would there be an uproar in the dg community? You betcha!

Quasi · #11 June 1st, 2009, 05:01 PM

I understand the challenges related to Forest Park and working with/against the Conservancy, but how about Washington Park? Seemingly there is plenty of land in and around the Zoo, Rose Garden, et. al. I'd love to have a course I could walk to, or at least take public trans vs. having to drive to Lunchtime, Pier, or farther out.

-chris

Sausage Fingers · #12 June 1st, 2009, 08:11 PM

There are a few things that make a disc golf course good and/or great. Amenities are at the top of the list.

#1 Is there ANY parking. Not just a wide spot on the side of the road that goes past the course. See Hagg Lake. This can be mediated somewhat if the park is close to public transit, but I can't find many local courses that meet that criteria.

#2 Bathrooms. Sure I can pee standing up but ask a female golfer how much they like ruffing it. If you don't have bathrooms then you'd better not complain about players urinating in the bushes. See Pier Park.

#3 Other amenities. Like camping areas, shelters for group activities or fire pits etc. You may only play dg in the nice weather but some of us like to play every weekend year round.

List of amenities at Forrest Park = ZERO.
Why is Milo the amazing place that it is? Amenities.

Quasi · #13 June 1st, 2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sausage Fingers

There are a few things that make a disc golf course good and/or great. Amenities are at the top of the list.

#1 Is there ANY parking. Not just a wide spot on the side of the road that goes past the course. See Hagg Lake. This can be mediated somewhat if the park is close to public transit, but I can't find many local courses that meet that criteria.

#2 Bathrooms. Sure I can pee standing up but ask a female golfer how much they like ruffing it. If you don't have bathrooms then you'd better not complain about players urinating in the bushes. See Pier Park.

#3 Other amenities. Like camping areas, shelters for group activities or fire pits etc. You may only play dg in the nice weather but some of us like to play every weekend year round.

List of amenities at Forrest Park = ZERO.
Why is Milo the amazing place that it is? Amenities.

Forest Park may have zero of the aforementioned amenities, but I'll return to my Washington Park question....
#1: parking galore, starting at the Rose Garden and continuing to the Zoo and Vietnam Memorial.
#2: bathrooms at the old elephant building, Rose Garden, Holocaust Memorial, etc.
#3: There's an archery range, soccer fields, playgrounds, tennis courts, hiking trails, fire pits, etc. Why not a dg course?

Maybe it's just wishful thinking, but I frequently hike in and around the Washington Park/Forest Park area as I live in NW, and often catch myself thinking how great a certain stretch of land would be for dg holes. I think a course close in on the west side would be awesome for the people who live downtown, or close enough to walk or hop the MAX up to the Zoo station.

smobro · #14 June 1st, 2009, 11:22 PM

Hey Flash has been asking for help on the new one out west at Stubb. what about supporting that one for now? I am guessing that if Flash is involved it might be AWESOME> just a thought. I know you guys are putting a wish list together but let's see, the new course at HH with concrete pads, Committing resources to HAGG, and the new course at Stubb, the course Adam is working on in Southeast. Shouldn't that be enough new courses for now? Just thinking out loud. Let's focus on what is actually in play.

Trozzle!!! · #15 June 1st, 2009, 11:35 PM

As far as Hagg goes. some of the Hagg crew talked to Bob Horning this weekend about the grant thing he has been trying for. Bob said he did get the grant which kicks in July 1st. I guess he told our guys to try for the grant too. I am going to follow up with this and hopefully get a good result which leads to Hagg getting upgraded. no promises of course, but its worth the try.

Adam Schneider · #16 June 2nd, 2009, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smobro

I know you guys are putting a wish list together but let's see, the new course at HH with concrete pads, Committing resources to HAGG, and the new course at Stubb, the course Adam is working on in Southeast. Shouldn't that be enough new courses for now?

With the exception of Harmony (Milwaukie), none of those is less than a 40-minute drive from the center of town; for those on the east side, they're all at least an hour away. The Washington Park fantasies are fueled by the desire to not have to burn multiple gallons of hydrocarbons to get to a course.

smobro · #17 June 2nd, 2009, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

With the exception of Harmony (Milwaukie), none of those is less than a 40-minute drive from the center of town; for those on the east side, they're all at least an hour away. The Washington Park fantasies are fueled by the desire to not have to burn multiple gallons of hydrocarbons to get to a course.

I hear ya. I too like less driving and more playing. What about checking out the Durham City Park? it is off Upper Boones Ferry rd. Not close to me, but looks like it has great bones for a full layout.
Check it out on GOOGLE aerial maps

Adam Schneider · #18 June 2nd, 2009, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by smobro

What about checking out the Durham City Park? it is off Upper Boones Ferry rd. Not close to me, but looks like it has great bones for a full layout.

The acreage is there, but Fanno Creek runs through the whole park and it may therefore be either off-limits or swampy. Do we have any Durham (or Tualatin) residents here who could check into it?