The challenge of balancing environmental protection and providing the recreational use of a city park is at the center of the current debate over a proposal to construct a \u201cdisc golf\u201d course at McLaren Park\u2014the Ingleside park that is the City\u2019s second largest.<\/p>\n
The San Francisco Disc Golf Club and the Recreation and Parks Department have plans to privately build and maintain an 18-hole disc golf course that is open to the public. But opposition from some park users and neighbors\u2014including an influential group of dog walkers\u2014has put those plans on indefinite hold. They say the disc gulf course threatens the 60-acre designated \u201coff-leash\u201d area.<\/p>\n
Disc golf is a fast-growing fitness sport played like the standard game of golf, but instead of swinging at balls with clubs, players tee off from concrete pads with the surface area of picnic table and throw small Frisbee-like discs into metal baskets that stand on poles.<\/p>\n
The controversy surrounding a disc golf course in McLaren Park is not new. In 1997 the San Francisco Disc Golf Club proposed a 27-hole course for the park.\u00a0 After meeting strong community opposition, they withdrew their preliminary proposal.<\/p>\n
But in 2005, the SFDGC was given approval by the City\u2019s park commission to construct a course in Golden Gate Park and McLaren Park. The first course in Golden Gate Park, which was to be temporary, was opened in 2007.\u00a0 It was successful enough that it became permanent. On any given Saturday, up to 300 to 400 players come to play.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to be a positive part of the McLaren Park community. This isn\u2019t something we want to jam down people\u2019s throats,\u201d said Jeffery Bowling, former president of the SFDGC. In addition to being in charge of the McLaren Park project, he is also a resident in the area.<\/p>\n
Bowling said he believes bringing disc golf is a great opportunity for McLaren Park. Since everything from construction to maintenance is paid for by the SFDGC, there is no cost to the City and it is free for public, including local schools that they plan to reach out to. He believes if the course were built, the community would embrace it.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a unique partnership,\u201d he said and noted citywide slashes in park programs, \u201cIt\u2019s a gift to the City.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Disc Golf Association reports there are about 3,000 disc golf courses in the US.<\/p>\n
Save McLaren Park is one community group that formed after some park users found out about the disc golf course. They, along with other neighbors, were unhappy with the apparent \u201cdone deal\u201d status and lack of adequate notice.<\/p>\n
While some neighbors and park users are not categorically against the disc golf course and would like more community input, the position of the SMP, however is firm.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe don\u2019t have any problem with the game itself but we believe it to be clear that a disc golf course is not compatible with the use of McLaren Park,\u201d Ken McGary, spokesman for SMP, said.<\/p>\n
McGary, who is also a nearby resident and dog owner, said the two major reasons for their position are that the disc golf course would be a \u201cradical\u201d change of character for the park and the resulting environmental impact.<\/p>\n