Trying for a new course in Michigan

On Wednesday the 9th of Dec. at 4:30 pm. A co-worker (who is an Eagle Scott Master) and myself will be going before the Ionia County Parks Advisory Board to propose the installation of a 18 hole disc golf course in Bertha Brock County Park in Ionia, MI. If they give us the 'good-ahead', then our next stop will be to the County Commissioner's Office to get permission to build the course. If they give us the green light, then it will be the long road of getting money and building it.

I saw the whole discussion of how 'Nathan' the Eagle Scott put a course in his neck of the woods; and how all our fellow disc golfers gave him guidance and advice. I am asking now for that same advice. Please post any descriptions, outlines, success stories, testimonies, etc...

Attached is a Map of the park. The layered green area is where I will be proposing the course to be installed. It's more than enough land with a massive sledding hill.

Thanks :)

[Destraayer]

Too true. I would just pull the pins that would be in the way of kids sledding.

[Destraayer]

If the weather is permitting, today is the day I go in front of the County Parks Advisory Board. Wish me good luck!

[discgolfdady]

dont you think michigan has enough disc golf courses 116 courses and thats not the private ones IM JEALOUS

[Destraayer]

We sacrificed the auto industry for disc golf

[Boom Boom Dino]

making cars pays better but layd off workers enjoy the discing me bets

[Destraayer]

I am please to say that my meeting with the Ionia County Parks Advisory Board was a huge success! They loved my idea for an 18 hole disc golf course to be installed in Bertha Brock Park and approved it! They we're even willing to go in front of the County Commissioner for me, I would just have to help with any necessary research. This spring, myself, a select group of volunteers, and the head of the board will begin to lay out the course.

All the wheels seem to be in motion, but I know there will still be a lot of work to do and a lot of help to ask for. If anyone has any input on how to write up a letter to address privates parties for donations, how to write donation receipts, or any other paper work related to a community efforts in disc golf course installation, please let me know.

Thanks a ton!

[Steve West]

Many people will be more open to giving money if you have a professional involved. No one builds even a tot lot without a professional to oversee it.

That doesn't mean that you, a bunch of volunteers and the head of the board couldn't lay out the course you want. Just make sure you can at least say that part of the money will go to having a qualified disc golf course designer review the plan for safety and to maximize the value to the community. If one of you guys is qualified, great. Make sure you are "hired".

[Destraayer]

The only problem about professionals though is that they do not work for free. Even if the promise of professional involvement would generate a certain dollar amount, the cost for their services would be a wash. Don't get me wrong; I would defiantly welcome professional involvement, I'm just not sure of how much money that would take. Since Ionia has no disc golf course what-so-ever, any course is better than no course.

But the excitement of the project is getting me way ahead of myself. The proposal still has to go in front of the County Commissioner; which means nothing probably won't happen until the next year. I'm gonna just keep trying to get my ducks in a row in the meantime.

[discgolfdady]

I wish we could have the same city council the city council in BOISE IDAHO seems to keep us out of parks. for the first time in 10 or 11 years here (ive been here 6 years) the parks are telling us that we cant set up temp courses in parks because they ARE either wetlands or some other lame excuse WE LIVE IN THE SNAKE RIVER PLAIN ITS ALL DESERTT OR WETLANDS NEAR THE RIVER. ive been golfing for 26 years and hoped to see this sport grow, some places it has other places dont have a chance because of the city council members!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Think the pdga could help?

[Destraayer]

You are always gonna a have a hard time trying to do any kind of development around wetlands. Look for areas that are undeveloped that don't interfere with to much wildlife preservation. Have you tried some of the surrounding communities of Boise? This is kind of why I am trying to put a course in Ionia versus where I live, Grand Rapids, MI. Space in GR is at a premium and Communities are hard to budge on any kind of development that would hurt their little green islands of wilderness.

[hippiediscdude]

Thats sweet man! Bertha Brock has the potential to be an awesome course, all the elevation, trees and the creek could make for a phenomenal course. I have a buddy that lives out in Ionia and has been trying to get a course in out there for a while. I dont know how much progress he has made but if you guys want to hook up I could put you in contact with him. It wouldnt hurt to have some one local to lend a hand. Good luck! I cant wait to play it when its in!

[Destraayer]

Any local support can help. Right now, I'm trying to get as many local organizations to back the installation of the course as I can. I'm thinking that I will have to set up some kind of communication network, via the web or what not, to get all volunteer work/donations together. You should ask your body how he would like to help.