News Archive
Provisional Course Proposal Update: 10.12.99
Major props are in order for everyone who showed up last night for community walk through #2 of the proposed disc golf course in Golden Gate Park. Mike Gunnell, Margaret Harris, Brian Henderson, Ken Ingrey, David Jacques, Jill Miley, Doug Mitchell, Leonard Muise, Tom Pitmon, Jeremy Quiroga, Warren Sedar, Joel Verby, Dan Warburton, Orion, Ross --each and every one of you helped make a difference last night at the walk through, each and every one of you exemplified what we believe in as a club, and helped convey our convictions to the community members who regularly use that section of the park.
All told, the walkthrough went as well as we could have asked. There were over 30 people in attendance, including all of the SFDGC people named above, some other frisbee supporters whose names I do not know four members of Recreation and Parks staff, about 15 neighbors from the surrounding community who use the park on a regular basis, and Justin --a reporter from the Examiner.
From the onset, no one was outwardly hostile towards the proposed course, but it seems like any time we mention installing a disc golf course in a San Francisco park, all people seem to hear is "golf." The biggest concern at the onset of the walkthrough last night was that we were going to bulldoze all of the trees, lay fairways, and post "Do not enter" signs at both ends of the course. As Ross finished explaining the proposal, one woman with short blonde hair, wearing heels and dressed more for the office than a hike in the park piped up from the back.
"Let me get this straight," she said, "All you want to do is put in 9 of those baskets, lay down some wood chips as tees, and throw Frisbees? That's great, I'm outta here."
During Ross's presentation, one man asked, "Why this section of the park?" and we set out to walk hole #1, I knew we had a interesting walk ahead of us. I am always timid on these walk throughs, because my enthusiasm and love for the sport tend to get the best of me, and I have to consciously not allow myself to get overbearing -- I have to make a real effort to listen. What I heard during the walk through was a great bunch of people standing up for the sport they love, and convincing some die-hard locals that we share the same love and respect for Golden Gate park that they do.
One of the couples lives on Lincoln and 25th, and they were curious to see what was going on with the park. The man is about 80 years old, born and raised in SF. In fact, his father and his grandfather were born and raised in SF. After hearing the proposal, and getting a look at some of the holes, he said he hopes we get the course in. "Sounds like fun," he said.
Ruth and her husband live across the street from the course. From what I could tell, they take a daily walk in the park to feed squirrels, watch birds, and enjoy the woods. She repeatedly stated that she is not opposed to the course, but she does not want to have to worry about frisbees while she is walking her path. She also does not want to see the squirrels driven out. One of the turning points in the walk was when David Jacques offered up his favorite putter to Ruth's husband as a keepsake, and the guy threw it about 80 feet at the next hole =)! Overall, the rest of the walkthrough was uneventful --no one really came out and said, "this will not do!" I think most of the people who left that meeting thought it would be a good addition to the park. We'll see.
We are nowhere out of the woods yet, but last night the San Francisco Disc Golf Club really showed itself for what it is: a good group of people who love their sport, and are hell bent on sharing that love with San Francisco. Each and every one of you: YOU ROCK! You are why we will get a course in SF yet. Hang in there, and stay posted for the next commission meeting date --it sounded like it got moved to November...[posted by Q]
Weekly Shoot-A-Rounds: Thursday 6:00 PM
Weekly Shoot-A-Rounds are in effect until 10.28.99, and this year we've got the formula for fun for everyone! We've mapped out a nine-hole course in Golden Gate Park that starts and ends at Marx Meadow, and takes about an hour to play. Short and long tees for every hole offer a variety of challenges, and the setting is absolutely beautiful.
Directions:
From North of Golden Gate Park:
- Enter Golden Gate Park on 25th Avenue from the North end (Fulton)Head South on 25th Avenue, enter Golden Gate Park.
- IMMEDIATE RIGHT on Transverse Drive
- RIGHT on John F. Kennedy Drive (the next Stop sign)
- 0.5 mile West on JFK to Marx Meadow on the Right hand (North) side of the road. There is a path that starts at the street and heads North: The first tee is about 200 feet up that path, and 60 feet to the left (West) of it, near the plum trees.
From South of Golden Gate Park:
- Take 19th Avenue to the 25th Avenue Cutoff Left on 25th Ave (it may be Crossover Drive, or it turns into Crossover Drive)
- LEFT on Transverse Drive
- RIGHT on John F. Kennedy Drive (the next Stop sign)
- 0.5 mile West on JFK to Marx Meadow on the Right hand (North) side of the road. There is a path that starts at the street and heads North: The first tee is about 200 feet up that path, and 60 feet to the left (West) of it, near the plum trees.