THE CORPORATION OF THE CITY OF NELSON

REQUEST TO APPEAR AS A DELEGATION

DATE: February 25, 2019, Committee of the Whole
TOPIC: Nelson Disc Golf Society (NDGS)
PROPOSAL: Proposal for a disc golf course in Nelson
PROPOSED BY: Iraleigh Anderson
_____________________________________________________________________
ANALYSIS SUMMARY:
The Nelson Disc Golf Society is presenting a proposal for a disc golf course.

BENEFITS OR DISADVANTAGES AND NEGATIVE IMPACTS:

The presentation is for Council and the public’s information.

COSTS AND BUDGET IMPACT - REVENUE GENERATION:

There is no cost associated with this presentation.

IMPACT ON SUSTAINABILITY OBJECTIVES AND STAFF RESOURCES:

This is in alignment with the City’s Path to 2040 Sustainability Strategy.

OPTIONS AND ALTERNATIVES:

1. Receive and thank the presenter
2. Refer to staff with direction

ATTACHMENTS:
 Draft proposal
 Presentation

RECOMMENDATION:
That Council receives the presentation from Iraleigh Anderson from the Nelson Disc Golf
Society and thanks her for the presentation.

AUTHOR: REVIEWED BY:

_______________________________ ___________________________
CORPORATE OFFICER ACTING CITY MANAGER
DRAFT Proposal for a Disc Golf Course
at Art Gibbons Park

Prepared by: The Nelson Disc Golf Society

Prepared For: The City of Nelson

February 13, 201

Proposal for a Disc Golf Course at Art Gibbons Park

The Nelson Disc Golf Society

The Nelson Disc Golf Society (NDGS) was formed in 2007 with the aim of increasing
infrastructure and opportunities for disc golf in the Nelson area. Our membership includes more
than 40 people of all ages who enjoy disc golf as a significant component of their recreational
activity. We are an actively registered society in British Columbia (Incorporation Number:
S0070725).

What is Disc Golf?

Disc golf (also known as “Frisbee golf”) is played much like traditional golf, but instead of a ball
and clubs, players use a flying disc. The game shares with “ball golf” the object of completing
each hole in the fewest number of strokes, or in the case of disc golf, the fewest number of
throws. A disc is thrown from a tee pad toward a target which is the “hole” - an elevated metal
basket. As a player progresses through the course, she or he must make each consecutive shot
from the spot where the previous throw landed. Trees, shrubs, and terrain changes provide
challenging obstacles for the disc golfer. Disc golf shares the same joys and frustrations of
traditional golf, whether it’s sinking a long putt or hitting a tree halfway down the “fairway.”
However, there are a few differences:
● Disc golf is usually free and available to the general public.
● Most courses are usually on public parkland and easily coexist with other park users.
● Disc golf can be played inexpensively with the purchase of a $10 disc.
● The game can be enjoyed by people of all ages, genders, and backgrounds; including
children and families, regardless of economic status.
● Disc golf is enjoyed all year long and in many types of weather conditions, even in snow.
● Nine holes of disc golf can be played in as little as 45 minutes.

Proposal Objective
The NDGS is seeking an agreement with the City of Nelson to partner on a project to develop a
nine-hole disc golf course in the wooded area of Art Gibbons Park in Nelson.

We are grateful for the opportunity to open discussion with you on this topic and consider this
proposal to be a “living document” that will be updated based on your feedback.

Location and Site Description

The proposed site for the disc golf course is Art Gibbons Park in Nelson BC. Multiple community
groups share this space for multiple uses, including:
● A concrete skatepark installed by the Kootenay Outdoor Skatepark Society
● A bike-park maintained by the Nelson Cycling Club
● An area set aside for a playground which will be built with the Kiwanis Project Society

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Proposal for a Disc Golf Course at Art Gibbons Park

The proposed area for disc golf is the wooded part of the park, not including the area where
the bike-park extends into the trees (Appendix 1). The area of interest is a rolling open forest
with very little understory vegetation. Rocky features throughout the area create visual interest
and excellent obstacles for a disc golf course. A trail network runnin through the park is
accessed by local pedestrians and dog walkers. The NDGS has created a provisional site plan
for a disc golf course on the site (Appendix 1). The proposed location of the disc golf course
would not overlap or conflict with the skatepark, bike-park, or the space set aside for
playground (The grassy area between the skatepark and Richards Street West).

Site Suitability
Art Gibbons Park is an excellent location for a disc golf course for several reasons:

● Location - The location of the park allows citizens of Nelson to conveniently access the
course rather than commuting long distances to other regional courses. Based on
conversations with City of Nelson Parks staff, Art Gibbons Park may be the only possible
site for a course on Nelson park land.
● Topography - The gently rolling topography of the site favours the development of a
beginner friendly course that would be accessible to the widest possible range of
players.
● Land Cover - The relatively open forest in the park is suitable for the development of a
disc golf course without any further clearing of vegetation. Open sight lines among the
trees will allow for a safe course design without blind spots.

Course Design
A preliminary layout for the disc golf course is proposed (see map in Appendix 1). Modifications
to the course design, based on feedback from the City of Nelson can be integrated into an
updated version of this proposal. We designed this layout to start the discussion. Input is
welcome.

Preliminary course design has been guided by the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA)
Disc Golf Course Design Guidelines, which identify five important goals:
1. Satisfy the design requirements of the people and organizations who approve use of the
land and fund the equipment for the course.
2. Design course to be safe for both players and non-players who may pass near or
through it.
3. Design course with the potential for multiple configurations to serve not only beginners
but players with advanced skills; consistent with the budget and design needs in Goal 1
above.
4. Design a well-balanced course with a wide range of hole lengths and a good mixture of
holes requiring controlled left, right and straight throws.

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Proposal for a Disc Golf Course at Art Gibbons Park

5. Utilize elevation changes and available foliage as well as possible. Take care to minimize
potential damage to foliage and reduce the chances for erosion.

Additional PDGA Disc Golf Course Design Guideline documents and supporting literature are
available on the PDGA website (www.pdga.com). Ongoing adjustment of the layout will be
informed by communication with the City of Nelson. The NDGS is confident that a safe disc golf
course with wide community appeal can be developed in this space.

Course Development
The proposed development of a disc golf course would involve only light alteration of the site.
No major earthworks would be required, and the construction activities could be completed
using hand tools. This is in distinct contrast with the development of most recreational
amenities like skateparks or sports fields which require relatively large budgets and prolonged
periods of disruptive site development.

Infrastructure required for a nine-hole disc golf course include:

● Nine tee pads (4’x8’x4”). Concrete tee-pads provide the best surface for the initial throw
(the “drive”). Concrete tee-pads require virtually no maintenance and can be installed at
a reasonable cost. The installation of tee-pads is completed by hand and involves a
small footprint with limited overall soil disturbance.
● Nine baskets. Baskets provide the target for each hole. DISCatcher Pro baskets
(Manufactured by Innova. See innovadiscs.com) are the most common basket found on
disc golf courses worldwide. The DISCatcher Pro is made of galvanized steel, with a
bright yellow powder coated band for visibility. This basket provides excellent durability
and value. The baskets are set into the earth with a small concrete foundation (8” in
diameter) and include a locking mechanism which allows for removal of the basket when
necessary. The basket on the cover page photo is a DISCatcher Pro.
● Welcome signage including a course map, disc golf rules, etiquette, and suggestions to
practice good stewardship of the site (e.g. “Pack out your garbage”, “leave the course
better than your found it”, “respect other users”, etc.).
● Safety signage (e.g. “Caution, flying discs”).
● Navigational signage consisting of unobtrusive markers for each tee-pad which help
users safely and efficiently move through the course.
● All signage would be printed locally on outdoor grade aluminum, and installed on
galvanized posts.
● Bench seating could also be provided throughout the course to enhance the use of the
site by disc golfers of all ages and abilities, and the general public.

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Proposal for a Disc Golf Course at Art Gibbons Park

Site Usage
It is anticipated that as many as 25 players would access the course each day during peak
summer months. Winter usage may range down to 10 or 12 regular players on weekends. The
course could accommodate up to 36 players at a time in the case of a tournament. The NDGS
would host a weekly league night for locals and visiting players. A league night is the social glue
in a disc golf community and would provide an opportunity for leaders within the NDGS to
maintain awareness regarding course etiquette and stewardship responsibilities.

Nelson Disc Golf Society stewardship responsibilities for the site would include:
● Provision of a container for refundables. Refundables would be removed weekly during
the league night, and all visiting players would be reminded to be responsible with their
waste. Refundables would also be collected and used as a source of income for the
NDGS. Disc golfers are generally excellent stewards of their home courses and routinely
leave the site better than it was found.
● Monitor other site activities. Club members would provide “eyes and ears” on the ground
and would report unauthorized activities or vandalism to the City of Nelson.

Cooperation with Existing Users

We anticipate no apparent conflict of uses on this site. We intend to keep disc golf activities
strictly within the area mapped in Appendix 1. Likewise, we have routed our course to minimize
the potential for discs to be inadvertently thrown into adjacent roads or other areas of the park.

To practice full diligence in cooperating with our neighbors we also plan to implement the
following mitigations.

● Signage - Our welcome signage would remind disc golfers to practice courtesy in
sharing the space with other users. Additional notes on site etiquette could be added to
the signage based on feedback from the City Of Nelson.
● Temporary closures - Disc golf baskets can quickly be removed or disabled when
required. If other community groups required use of the space for a special event, the
disc golf course could be temporarily disabled by removing the baskets.
● Other suggestions - This is a living proposal that we will happily update based on
feedback. The use of this site would be a tremendous opportunity for our club and the
community of Nelson as a whole, and as such we are flexible to adapt our plans to
accommodate stakeholder requirements.

Project Roles
Our proposed approach to sharing responsibility would be for the NDGS to provide leadership
and resources to develop and maintain the course, with the City of Nelson providing planning
support and ongoing routine parks services such as emptying garbage cans.

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Proposal for a Disc Golf Course at Art Gibbons Park

A proposed division of responsibilities is outlined in the following table.

Task NDGS Roles City of Nelson Roles

Planning ● Draft work plans, maps, and signage. ● Review and provide
● Revise based on feedback. feedback during
planning.

Development ● Provide baskets, tee-pads and signage. ● Install an extra garbage

● Organize volunteer labour and provide can if necessary.
leadership during course construction. ● Provide supervision of
● Install a receptacle for refundable course installation if
containers necessary.

Maintenance ● Maintain and repair disc golf baskets and ● Maintain normal park
tee-pads. services including
● Remove refundable containers emptying garbage cans.
● Promote stewardship ethic among players
during league nights.

Safety
Public safety is a primary consideration at any sports facility. The NDGS is committed to working
with the City of Nelson to design and maintain a space for disc golf that is safe for participants
and members of the public. We are happy to collaborate with the City of Nelson on updating
this plan with policies and strategies to ensure a safety in and around the disc golf course.

The following is a list of safety measures which are included in this proposal:
● Signage - Welcome signage at the course entrance will encourage etiquette and safe
conduct among all players. Cautionary signage will warm members of the public that
flyings discs are present in the area.
● Course Design - The course layout eliminates potential conflict with the bike-park, the
skatepark, and the future playground. The layout also limits potential conflict with
pedestrians by avoiding pathways and eliminating the possibility of any blind throws.
● Culture - Disc golfers tend to yield to pedestrians and communicate directly with
passersby to ensure safety. This culture is maintained during regular events such as
league night, when experienced players pass on knowledge and ettiquette to new
players.

NDGS Financial Strategy

The estimated cash budget to install nine holes is ~$9000 including baskets, tee-pads, and
signage. Additional value will be provided through the in-kind hours volunteered by club

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Proposal for a Disc Golf Course at Art Gibbons Park

members during course installation. Currently we have $3000 of grant funding available for this
project. Additional funds will be raised through a community crowdfunding campaign. Private
individuals and companies will be able to contribute to the course through cash contributions.
Project funders will be acknowledged on signage at the course.

We have conducted market research to confirm the viability of this funding model. We were
able to collect donation pledges in excess of $20,000 within a period of weeks. This financial
commitment indicates the overwhelming community will to see a disc golf course in Nelson.

Ongoing maintenance costs for the disc golf course will be covered by monies raised from
refundables collected on the course, and through periodic events such as tournaments.

Conclusion
Thank you for your consideration of our proposal. This document represents a preliminary
sketch of a collaborative plan to bring a disc golf course to Nelson. It is our hope that you will
accept this invitation to commence partnership on an initiative to develop a community disc golf
course at Art Gibbons Park.

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Appendix 1. Site Map
 Art Gibbons Park Disc Golf Proposal
Prepared by the Nelson Disc Golf Society
For the City of Nelson February 25, 2019

Agenda
1. Disc Golf – Intro
2. Disc Golf in BC
3. West Kootenay DG
4. Disc Golf in Nelson
5. The Proposal

< 10 Minutes followed by

Questions.
1. Disc Golf Intro
1. Disc Golf Intro
2. Disc Golf In BC
3. West Kootenay Disc Golf
 4. Nelson Disc Golf
• Players from Nelson frequent
other West Kootenay Courses
• “Closet Disc Golfers”
• Notable competitive players
• Kailash and Ganesh Sanjivi
• Evan Shper et al.
• Nelson Disc Golf Society
• The “Cemetery” proposal
• The Tenth Street proposal
• Current strategy – Work with
the City of Nelson to develop
a course at Art Gibbons Park
which will serve as a
gathering place for the
Nelson Disc Golf Community.
 5. The Proposal
• Art Gibbons Park
• Treed area
• No overlap with skatepark
or bike-park.
• Open forest. High visibility.
• Design Considerations
• Safety (Layout and signage)
• Family level course
• Interface with other users
• Environmental protection
• Responsibilities
• NDGS provides and
maintains baskets and tee-
pads.
• City of Nelson shares
existing park maintenance.
Thank You.