Disc Golf in Existing Harris County Precinct 4 Parks

[SpringDGLover]

Ok, So Im driving down Aldine Westfield and I look up and see a brand new sign for a park called Pundt Park. I bust a U-Turn and go take a look and find a wonderful wooded park with great eminities, fishing, hiking, canoeing, and a great little playground for the kids. But as is almost always the case with these little gems there was no disc golf. I went over to a sign they had posted in the park and saw that not only was this park being completed but that they planned on making a whole number of parks along the Spring Creek Greenway http://www.hcp4.net/parks/scgw/index.htm which runs along Spring Creek between I-45 and I-59. I thought to myself, my God what perfect piece of land to build DG courses on.

So anyways it got me thinking and I've decided to write an email proposal to Jerry Eversole the Commisioner for Precinct 4 and see if maybe he responds. What I need from everyone here is feedback on this letter. I need the expertise of the Houston disc golf community and I need people who know how to get through to these kind of people (ie Taylor Lake). I feel like this area is ripe for some pretty awesome DG courses and I think its worth a shot.

Below is my introduction to my letter, I am completely open to rewrites and critism. I dont care what it takes I want to get this done. Also in my experience the more letters the better so guys with Northside Chain Gang and everyone on else on here lets innundate these guys with requests here is his emaill address JerryEversole@hcp4.net.

Hi Jerry,

First of all let me say that I am a huge fan of what you are doing with the expansion and proliferation of parks in Harris County. In fact my inspiration for writing you stems from me visiting one of your newer parks, Pundt Park, in Spring, Texas. I actually have two reasons for writing you, the first is to educate you on the sport of Disc Golf and its rapid expansion that has made it the “the fastest growing sport in America”. The second reason I’m writing is to see about having some courses placed in already existing Harris County Precinct 4 Parks.

[LOU18132]

Tough economic times and the County is hard to get to listen if they are going to spend extra money. Putting in parks and green space is one thing cause they have the land and get incentives, the extra expenditure for a disc golf course is something else. TLV is a smallish community with a few more resources no matter the size and tax base. If you come up with some way to fund the project, they will listen. The playgrounds in most parks are privately funded through donations or foundations.
Good Luck, Lou

[SpringDGLover]

Originally Posted by LOU18132

Tough economic times and the County is hard to get to listen if they are going to spend extra money. Putting in parks and green space is one thing cause they have the land and get incentives, the extra expenditure for a disc golf course is something else. TLV is a smallish community with a few more resources no matter the size and tax base. If you come up with some way to fund the project, they will listen. The playgrounds in most parks are privately funded through donations or foundations.
Good Luck, Lou

Thats some good info. I had heard that there is a presentation on the Innova website that speaks to the economic value of a disc golf course. I was hoping to promote the money and recognition a disc golf course could bring to the park and the county itself. I feel like by promoting the tourism side of the equation would maybe help convince them to fork out some dough. But of course that is just wishful thinking. Keep the infomation coming.

[ChrisMacG]

We were lucky with Taylor Lake Village that the Mayor was seeking a good cost effective way to improve park use. Disc golf was on her mind for the park before I got involved. I'm happy to say that the park usually sees about 30 disc golfers an evening so far this week.

Here's some of my favorite rebuttals on objections that cropped up to disc golf at the park:

1. People can get hurt by the hard flying discs.
   A disc golf disc is much softer than a baseball, and often moving slower and on a more predictable path than a baseball.
2. It is expensive.
   In terms of bang for the buck, disc golf is one of the most cost effective uses of park space. An 18 hole course can comfortably accommodate seventy to ninety people at once for far less money than a basketball court, tennis court or piece of playground equipment costs.
3. No one plays disc golf.
   Many Houston area courses see a steady stream of traffic on their disc golf courses. Disc golfers keep a park being used and encourages others to enjoy the park space. Disc golf is a fast growing sport that is open to all ages and lifestyles.

I would also suggest following the same route that we did with the TLV course. Ask the park officials for approval for the land if you can raise half (or all) the cost of 18 baskets. Get their permission to sell hole sponsorships and then hit up area businesses, churches, community associations etc.

Let the parks folks know that installation can be handled by volunteers and that you have these folks ready (cause we'll show up, the TLV DGC course had volunteers from as far north as Spring and as far south as Galveston).

Tell them that maintenance costs can be supported by tournaments run at the course. That helped push TLV from being 9 holes to 18. Our vision for the course is a long term vision supported by hosting regular tournaments as fundraisers for concrete tees, benches and trash cans.

It's fairly easy to sell disc golf to people with a park. The hard part is getting people to sponsor holes.

[duffyskin]

Does anyone know who payed for the improvements/benches at moffit? Don't think it was funded by any profits earned there. I say keep the money promises down and push the whole,its free for all to play. Everyone is looking for things to do these days that are affordable and intown,to get out and have a lil fun and get a little exercise. Discgolf used to do lot a charity type activities. Throughout the hundreds of posts on here,there is nothing about anything benifitting anyone but golfers. I think your hunger for more courses is great but do you remember houston has more courses then any other city this size in the world. I'm not trying to dog your thoughts,but think out of the box thinking needs to be applied. Best of luck to you and keep us informed so we can support these efforts as a group.

[Suemac]

The City of Houston Parks and Rec Dept paid for the needed new benches out at Moffitt.

We have the Stallman's to thank along with many others.

You can tell those boys are good Aggies, their engineering skills really show with the recent work done on the Moffitt boxes.

I don't think I've EVER been able to stand flat in #3, #9 #14 and a few others, so thanks again for all the work on the boxes.