Dexter baskets to be pulled indefinitely - Disc Golf

Jester · #1 May 28th, 2009, 09:30 PM

I just heard that the EDGC is pulling all of the baskets at Dexter due to course vandalism. Rebecca was not sure how long the course would closed other than indefinitely. She said the baskets will be gone by next Thursday.

Eric Olson · #2 May 28th, 2009, 09:46 PM

What? Wow! Awful news.

Pencil me in for a trip down Wednesday then.

Sam · #3 May 28th, 2009, 09:51 PM

Wait... what? Were baskets vandalized? Was there a higher authority that demanded this? What exactly happened? This is horrible.

Jester · #4 May 28th, 2009, 10:07 PM

My understanding is that some small trees were broken off late this weekend and that it is a EDGC decision to pull the course. Rebecca, the EDGC prez, announced the decision at league tonight. She was not sure how long the course would be pulled for.

Sam · #5 May 28th, 2009, 10:11 PM

Wow. I am very sorry to hear this horrible news.

RonTheWhip · #6 May 29th, 2009, 02:06 AM

Dang, I saw some broken trees (on 13 I believe) a few weeks back when I was playing with Nate. What a damn shame!

DexterHawk · #7 May 29th, 2009, 02:19 PM

There will be several Work Parties while the course is closed... the goal is to open the course again with value added.

This has been in the works for awhile... The Corps of Engineers who own the land that the course is on have been putting pressure on the club to help maintain the property better... This winter volunteers responded admirably by working on more trails and helping to repair erosion around some of the baskets... I think the main goal of the club's action, which I support, is to remind the large usership of the course that it is a privilege for us to be out there and that if people aren't respectful that privilege will be lost. I know that some folks play that course three or four times a week (with summer coming I would soon have become one of those folks) and that Eugene is woefully short of courses... but that is all the more reason that we need to make sure that we don't get the course pulled permanently and I have been assured that the club taking strong action in response to the recent vandalism will be a strong first step in assuring that this won't happen.

andy

bvdisc · #8 May 29th, 2009, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DexterHawk

There will be several Work Parties while the course is closed... the goal is to open the course again with value added.

This has been in the works for awhile... The Corps of Engineers who own the land that the course is on have been putting pressure on the club to help maintain the property better... This winter volunteers responded admirably by working on more trails and helping to repair erosion around some of the baskets... I think the main goal of the club's action, which I support, is to remind the large usership of the course that it is a privilege for us to be out there and that if people aren't respectful that privilege will be lost. I know that some folks play that course three or four times a week (with summer coming I would soon have become one of those folks) and that Eugene is woefully short of courses... but that is all the more reason that we need to make sure that we don't get the course pulled permanently and I have been assured that the club taking strong action in response to the recent vandalism will be a strong first step in assuring that this won't happen.

andy

Well said, thanks for saving me the typing.

zippyboy · #9 May 29th, 2009, 03:50 PM

As much as that must suck for you guys, I applaud the effort. Sacrifice like this couldn't have been easy to make. Hopefully it works out in the long run!

Adam Schneider · #10 May 29th, 2009, 04:00 PM

This is the one top-tier Oregon course that I still haven't played... I hope those baskets do come back eventually!

Jonny Roc · #11 May 29th, 2009, 04:42 PM

so indefinitely? Does that mean the Eugene Celebration Tourney will not be held at Dexter? Its a Great Idea to close the course for awhile to spruce things up. Any word on New Holes or Pin Placements?

Matt B. · #12 May 29th, 2009, 06:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jonny Roc

so indefinitely? Does that mean the Eugene Celebration Tourney will not be held at Dexter? Its a Great Idea to close the course for awhile to spruce things up. Any word on New Holes or Pin Placements?

I'm fairly certain that depending on a few things, we will be able to put the baskets back in in a few weeks. In the meantime we'll get some of the work done that we need to do. Work parties TBA.

Matt B. · #13 May 29th, 2009, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Schneider

This is the one top-tier Oregon course that I still haven't played... I hope those baskets do come back eventually!

Drop me a PM when you are going to visit Adam!

Rebecca · #14 May 31st, 2009, 10:14 AM

Yes, the baskets are getting pulled on Thursday. The posted signs will say indefinitely but I hope it will only be a few weeks. This decision was not only based on the damage done to some small trees but because this has been a problem for quite some time.

Thanks Andy, Ben, and Matt for filling in the blanks on some things. The Eugene Celebration will go on as planned at the Dexter course even if we put the baskets back in just for the tournament. I know this is an inconvenience but action had to be taken. This was a very diffiicult decision but we are turning this into a postive. There will be various work parties done while the baskets are pulled. The EDGC has already done many improvements to the course but there are many more we want to do. This is the perfect time to do them.

I will keep you updated on the work parties. Dates will be discussed at the meeting on Wednesday.

Greg_R · #15 June 1st, 2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

I think the main goal of the club's action, which I support, is to remind the large usership of the course that it is a privilege for us to be out there and that if people aren't respectful that privilege will be lost.

Good work making the hard decision. I would also add a sign saying "course closed indefinitely due to vandalism of the course and destruction of the local environment". Milo should do the same thing... people need to understand that there are consequences to their behaviors.

Sam · #16 June 1st, 2009, 03:53 PM

Wait... what? Did you just suggest that Milo pull the baskets?!

How about putting up signs at places like Milo (and Dabney - tree down on 14 or 15, I believe that did NOT look like an accident) that say something like:

"Excessive littering and/or intentional destruction of trees and shrubbery COULD lead to the removal of the disc golf course."

And make it a big sign right at tee 1. And the other tee 1.

all2common · #17 June 1st, 2009, 04:07 PM

...and the other tee 1.

David Errington · #18 June 1st, 2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam

Wait... what? Did you just suggest that Milo pull the baskets?!

How about putting up signs at places like Milo (and Dabney - tree down on 14 or 15, I believe that did NOT look like an accident) that say something like:

"Excessive littering and/or intentional destruction of trees and shrubbery COULD lead to the removal of the disc golf course."

And make it a big sign right at tee 1. And the other tee 1.

I'll be at the meeting, but I wanted to chime in and say that I agree with Sam.

There is a significant lack of signage at Dexter. Not only is the course confusing to new comers but it is also difficult and woodsy. The T signs are great, but even the long winded, tiny-text sign at hole one does little to convey the importance of course respect.

The only way to persuade people to respect the area is to convey that to them. Personally, I try to talk to almost every disc golfer I see and encourage them to pick up trash, respect the atmosphere of the sport, and to have fun. I have talked to a lot of folks that past few days, and everyone has the same wash of disappointment. Worse is the fact that even those who know a little bit about the possible closure have no idea as to why, when, how, or who is responsible. Instead of having a positive impact on peoples behavior, it is having the opposite, now that they are expecting it to be taken away with what to them amounts to as no cause or reason. If we are to hope that this closure will improve the Dexter experience for all, then we need to involve everyone in it.

In line with the signage suggestion..., chain a garbage can to every hole. I don't think that will stop people from littering, but it will make emptying my bag of trash a heck of a lot easier, and I can do it more often. The faster I can get rid of someones Coke can, old water bottle and snickers bar wrapper, the faster I can fill that space with another. Yesterday I saw a group of 6 older folks, all with one disc in their hand, and one of the older women was picking up trash and putting it in bags the guys were carrying between each throw. When I approached them I realized I had spoken to one of the guys the day before and after our talk he said he is starting to carry old grocery bags with him to pick up trash.

As a newer disc golfer myself, I know it takes time to get a feel for the game, the people and the rules. If it wasn't for a select few folks who were there to show me I still wouldn't know.

If only 1 out of 5 people I talked to that said they would show up for the meeting do...we will pack it in at the Yum...

When you go from one extreme (a great 18 hole course, free, and supported by donations and volunteers) to the other (complete removal of the pins) it only effects those of us that use it on a regular basis.

The yahoos and hooligans don't care if it gets pulled, they will find something else to make their presence known. I have seen things like this happen at a lot of venues. Worst of all it was memorial day weekend. The biggest yahoos and drunks are out that weekend trying to do something stupider than they did last year. If this is the reaction we can expect anytime someone stupid lives up to their potential, then I forecast a long series of disc golf droughts between sparse and scattered tournaments at Dexter.

With the busy summer season coming up this is the perfect time to get the word out to all the new disc golfers out there. I know I hear a lot of people who think that the family of 5 with one disc each doesn't belong there...but then who does and who is to say who does.

I'd love to see a one day, no payout, tourney there. Use ALL the money to put in signs, explaining disc golf, courtesy, and the rarity of the course in this area. I think every serious player in the area with a few bucks and a love for Dexter would show up.

I also think a good example of course maintenance can be seen at Pier park. It is a free park, and a lot of folks throw there. Over the winter they closed a few holes for repairs. When it re-opened it was great and still is. In the Portland area they could afford to close one of the dozen courses within 20 minutes of the city center. I think it is notable that they chose not to. This is the only 18 hole course within 20 minutes of Eugene, there must be a better alternative to full closure.

Like the man said..."peace though disc golf"....

Adam Schneider · #19 June 1st, 2009, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Errington

I know I hear a lot of people who think that the family of 5 with one disc each doesn't belong there...

Who the hell would say that?!

Matt B. · #20 June 2nd, 2009, 06:17 AM

Personally, I don't think the temporary course closure at Dexter will stop idiots from littering or vandalizing trees, the baskets, tee signs, etc. BUT it will give us a chance to get some work done and it will serve notice that this may happen again and may happen permanently if idiots keep abusing the course. And while some casual (recreational, occasional, newer - whatever non-derogatory term you prefer) players may be surprised and disappointed, even angry, at least they will now be aware of the issues we are facing at Dexter and some of them will start to help out, police the course and their groups a little better and hopefully understand what it's going to take for us to keep the course.

Appropriate signage about the course closure has always been part of this plan from the first time I heard about it. Better directional signs were installed last year, and although some have been vandalized or gone missing, they do help. Could we use more? Yes. It would be great if someone would step up, buy the materials, make the signs and install them. Currently there is one garbage can for almost every two holes, which is a LOT better than it used to be. I pick up a dozen or so empties a round, so the cans haven't made the littering stop but it is a lot easier to dispose of the trash. And the littering has gotten somewhat better since the new cans went in. The new cans and signs and benches were the work of the EDGC and the same people who have made the decision to temporarily close the course.

A fundraiser tournament for Dexter sounds great - Will Larson just ran a fundraiser in April and we could always use another, so organize it and bring it on! None of the regular Dexter players want to lose the course but all I've heard from people is that it is a good idea to shut it down for a while, get some work done, and show the State parks and Army Corps that we are serious about protecting the natural features of the park.

Someone from Portland can correct me if I am wrong but Pier Park closed some holes due to issues specific to those holes, like turf maintenance or something. We do not have that issue at Dexter, we have a State Parks department leasing the land from the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Army Corps looking askance at the disc golf course, wondering about erosion, littering, tree vandalism, etc. etc. and wondering about the group in charge of the course. The Parks staff have a plan for the natural features of the park and within that plan is some work to make the disc golf course less likely to contribute to erosion, tree damage, etc. They are looking to us for help, leadership, and responsibility for the course. This is one small, temporary way for us to show that we will make sacrifices, we will take responsibility and we will do the work it takes to keep the course in place and free for everyone to use and enjoy. I hope to see everyone concerned at one of the numerous opportunities to help.

And that includes groups of five with one disc each. Groups of eight are strictly out though - new rule!