Greenway REMOVED? - Disc Golf

Brody Cannon · #1 May 12th, 2009, 08:04 PM

Email I received! PLEASE HELP! It's supposed to be for surrounding neighborhoods but we need some disc golfers there!

NOTICE OF NEIGHBORHOOD FORUM

GREENWAY PARK DISC GOLF COURSE

WEDNESDAY, MAY 27, 2009 (7 P.M. - 9 P.M.)
Conestoga Recreation and Aquatic Center, Room 203 (9985 SW 125th Ave.)

The Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District has received feedback from
neighbors and residents using Greenway Park, regarding disc golf and how it
fits in with other park activities.

Since it’s opening in spring 2007, the disc golf course has generated many
positive comments from local residents. But we've also heard from park
users who are concerned about safety. They've pointed out conflicts between
the disc golf course and the natural areas and walking paths. In addition,
we have received a petition asking that the course be removed – an action
that was opposed by other local residents and park users.

Whatever your ideas or opinions may be, please join the staff of the
Tualatin Hills Park & Recreation District for a neighborhood forum on this
topic. It will be held Wednesday, May 27, from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Conestoga
Recreation and Aquatic Center, Room 203.

The purpose of the forum is to bring the wide variety of Greenway Park users
together to discuss these differences of opinion. Through an open exchange
of ideas, we hope to find a solution that is agreeable to everyone. In the
end, our primary goal is to maintain Greenway Park as an open, inviting,
multipurpose community park that everyone can enjoy.

THPRD staff from a variety of departments will be in attendance to provide
information, answer questions, and facilitate the forum.

Questions?
Scott Brucker
Superintendent of Sports – THPRD
503/629-6300
sbrucker@thprd.org.
www.thprd.org

Sausage Fingers · #2 May 12th, 2009, 08:37 PM

Saw THAT coming from a mile away!

Adam Schneider · #3 May 12th, 2009, 08:42 PM

The question is, will people from outside the "neighborhood" be welcome at this forum? Has anyone ever had any dealings with this Scott Brucker?

Official THPRD page: http://www.thprd.org/events/event.cfm?id=282

dan · #4 May 12th, 2009, 09:37 PM

The good news here is the reference to the positive feedback for DG. Hopefully, the parks department felt they needed to do something to address the petition, and their only response will be this meeting.

Brody Cannon · #5 May 13th, 2009, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

The question is, will people from outside the "neighborhood" be welcome at this forum?

All park users should be able to come. If you consider the disc golf course as your home course or you even play it every once in a while, then you should definitely be able to voice your opinion.

Scott · #6 May 13th, 2009, 08:14 AM

I'll do my best to attend.

I'll also call and/or e-mail Mr. Brucker and voice my concerns.

Brody (and anyone else who regularly plays Greenway): I suggest printing many copies of that e-mail, keep them in your bag, and hand them out to every golfer you meet on the course.

A petition might work as well. Show the park management that there is just as much support, if not more, for keeping the course.

Adam Schneider · #7 May 13th, 2009, 08:35 AM

I e-mailed Brucker last night to find out more about the forum. If it's truly okay for anyone to show up, I'll be there. (It'd be hypocritical of me to get annoyed when no one shows up to the Clackamas County meetings, if I didn't show up in Washington County.)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

Brody (and anyone else who regularly plays Greenway): I suggest printing many copies of that e-mail, keep them in your bag, and hand them out to every golfer you meet on the course.

There's an offical flyer that can be printed and handed out: http://www.thprd.org/pdfs/events/event282.pdf

Pizzel · #8 May 13th, 2009, 12:01 PM

How about starting an online petition? Or setting-up an email account where DGers could send comments?

Adam Schneider · #9 May 13th, 2009, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pizzel

How about starting an online petition? Or setting-up an email account where DGers could send comments?

Unfortunately, on-line petitions aren't worth the electrons used to display them. I guess it can't HURT, but direct e-mails would be better.

Brody Cannon · #10 May 13th, 2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

Brody (and anyone else who regularly plays Greenway): I suggest printing many copies of that e-mail, keep them in your bag, and hand them out to every golfer you meet on the course.

I was planning on it but won't be able to start until I get back from Arizona (Monday)

Brody Cannon · #11 May 13th, 2009, 03:30 PM

Another email I just received from Kyle Kotchik. Kyle is in charge of the free tournament every year and I've been working side-by-side with him for a long time. He's on our side. The email also includes some other stuff not directly related to the public forum.

We will be holding a Public Forum on the Greenway Disc Golf Course Wednesday May 27th. The purpose of the forum is to receive feedback from the community related to the disc golf course and how it is integrating into existing uses at Greenway. The ultimate outcome would be a plan to have all uses co-exist in the Park.

Can you help get the word out? I want the forum to have fair representation. I know you love the course and it is a big part of your life. It would be a shame if the voice of the disc golfers was not heard and the a vocal minority gets there way and moves the course.

I did receive your message a couple weeks back about the hole 9 basket missing. Sounds like some vandals got a hold of it and tossed it in the creek. Before I could do anything about it our park maintenance re-installed the basket. Kind of waiting on the concrete pad tee box.

I play on getting the word out on the June 27 tournament soon. This year I'd like to have youth start around 10am followed by adults.

Please respond or call to let me know you received this email.

Thanks Brody,

Kyle Kotchik
THPRD Athletic Center
Ph. 503.629.6330
Fax 503.629.6335
kkotchik@thprd.com

stevem · #12 May 14th, 2009, 06:34 AM

Thanks for this heads up.

I work in the business park on the east side of Greenway and have played the course a couple times a week since they put it in. Since then I've introduced a bunch of other people who work in the area to the course and sport. Just last week a guy driving on Nimbus saw me jogging with discs and stopped to ask me where a course was - as he plays but was new to the area. I'll see if I can get some letters from people emailed if they can't attend the meeting.

Brody Cannon · #13 May 14th, 2009, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stevem

Thanks for this heads up.

I work in the business park on the east side of Greenway and have played the course a couple times a week since they put it in. Since then I've introduced a bunch of other people who work in the area to the course and sport. Just last week a guy driving on Nimbus saw me jogging with discs and stopped to ask me where a course was - as he plays but was new to the area. I'll see if I can get some letters from people emailed if they can't attend the meeting.

Anything would help. I appreciate it.

Flash · #14 May 14th, 2009, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brody Cannon

Anything would help. I appreciate it.

Brody, this is a meeting you should make sure your parents go to as well as all of your friends who play in the park. There is nothing more powerful then a group of parents whose youth uses a park for recreation instead of for mischief telling the local community to leave it alone.

Brody Cannon · #15 May 14th, 2009, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flash

Brody, this is a meeting you should make sure your parents go to as well as all of your friends who play in the park. There is nothing more powerful then a group of parents whose youth uses a park for recreation instead of for mischief telling the local community to leave it alone.

Yes of course. We are all planning on it.

Also, I found out that there are 9 households and 18 signatures on the petetion to get the course removed. I think it would be great if we had 18 disc golfers there just to show how much we want the course! And as Mike said, bring the whole family!

dan · #16 May 15th, 2009, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brody Cannon

Also, I found out that there are 9 households and 18 signatures on the petetion to get the course removed.

Hah! Some petition. I'm surprised they are even bothering to address it.

Scott · #17 May 15th, 2009, 07:02 AM

I'm actually most interested in hearing what the specific complaints are.

Adam Schneider · #18 May 23rd, 2009, 10:27 AM

I got this e-mail yesterday (boldface emphasis mine):

If you have received this e-mail THPRD is in receipt of a communication from you regarding the Disc Golf Course in Greenway Park.

To assure that your input is heard the body of your e-mail will be included in a packet of communications. The packet will be handed out at forum although your e-mail, name and address will not be included.

THPRD has received a great deal of interest in the upcoming forum, many excellent suggestions and many opinions. Thank You for taking the time to write and take interest in our Parks and their activities.

Hoping all can attend and be heard,

Scott Brucker
Superintendent of Sports
(503) 645-6433
(503) 629-6301 Fax
sbrucker@thprd.com

So, E-MAILS COUNT. If you can't make the meeting on Wednesday but want to make your voice heard, send Scott Brucker a message.

Scott · #19 May 27th, 2009, 01:45 PM

bump - meeting tonight.

Brody Cannon · #20 May 27th, 2009, 09:45 PM

The meeting went better than expected. There was a large turn-out of disc golfers! Looks like there will definitely be some changes to the course and hopefully improvements. I'll go into further detail later when my mouth isn't stuffed with an ice cream sandwich...