McLaren Park Disc Golf Meeting April 20, 2010
Welcome! Introductions Ground Rules Review Questions and Topics to Cover Background Presentation by the San Francisco Disc Golf Club Questions and Answers
Questions & Topics to Cover What is Disc Golf? What is the current state of the disc golf proposal? Why McLaren Park? Why this part of the park? Will this close the dog play area? Is there a fee to play? Do you have to be a member of a club to play? Will the disc golf area be fenced off to the public? Will this impact events at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater? Will any trees be removed during construction of the course? What are the other potential landscape impacts trees, natural areas, erosion? Who will maintain the course? How will it be maintained? Who will monitor the course and activities? Who do we does the public notify with issues concerning the course?
Project Background In 2005, the Recreation and Parks Commission approved a18 hole disc golf course in McLaren Park, including the area of where the disc golf course would be The Rec Park Commission works to provide recreational and open space opportunities to the public. The specific layout of the course and the terms of agreement between the City and the San Francisco Disc Golf Club to be confirmed in a Memorandum of Understanding -Your input will help us refine the course layout and the MOU The approach would be similar to the Golden Gate Park course, where the course was built, paid for, gifted to the city upon completion, and maintained by the San Francisco Disc Golf Club
Proposed Course Layout & Other Uses
McLaren Park, Park Use Analysis McLaren Park Park Land 313 acres total Dog Play Area 60 acres (over 2.5 million sq. ft) Currently shared with group picnic area, amphitheater, pedestrian paths, and other uses Proposed Disc Golf Course (most recent proposal) The proposal would share approximately 25 acres; about 8% of park Approximately 14 acres fall within off-leash dog play area, would share 22% of the space Avoids major drop-off zones and high-use dog play areas, and major trails
Course Design Considerations What are the major considerations for designing the final course? Terrain (some parts of park are very steep) Neighbors that border the park Pedestrian safety Existing park users Highest dog use areas (drop off zones, etc.) High use area (Upper Reservoir, etc.) Use of existing paths Official natural areas Philosopher s Way Project
Responsibility of the San Francisco Disc Golf Club Volunteers Course will be constructed entirely by volunteers Course will be paid for entirely by donations from individuals Course will be gifted to the city after construction Course will be maintained by volunteers in cooperation with Rec & Park Department
Proposed Maintenance Schedule and Feedback Daily Monthly Quarterly Semi-Annually Annually Club members will pick up trash Baskets will be shifted, trails cleared & signs checked for graffiti Trail maintenance, erosion monitoring, debris clearing, visual checking of tee pads, baskets & tree protection Walkthrough with members of the Department to examine how the course is working Open meeting with the community to discuss how the course is working with other park users If the San Francisco Disc Golf Club does not uphold their responsibilities, the City has the right to remove the course
DISC GOLF IN MCLAREN PARK Informational Meeting April 20th 2010
Disc Golf will not close the dog leash area. Part of the dog leash area will be shared space, but no off leash area will be lost.
The disc golf course does not come within 600 feet of the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater. We would work with the Amphitheater organizers and Rec. & Park to close the holes close to the Amphitheater parking lot during large events.
We will not be cutting down or removing any trees. Disc Golf is an activity that is played with little alteration to the existing environment.
This is a FREE activity that will be available for anyone with a Frisbee to enjoy.
What is Disc Golf?
How to Play Played like regular golf except with frisbees (discs) You start at a tee area and throw to the hole Holes are actually baskets that catch the disc Count the number of throws to complete the hole Play 18 holes
Discs A type of Frisbee Weight about 1/3 of a pound Made of plastic Price: $9-16 each Different discs are used for different throws (driving, putting, etc.)
Tees Pads & Baskets Tees are concrete (4 feet wide x 10 feet long) Baskets are galvanized metal and 5 feet tall
Ball Golf & Disc Golf Differences Disc golf is free to the public No expensive equipment No tee times Uses existing natural terrain Accessible to all ages Shares area with other recreation activities
Shared Space
Disc Golf Over 2600 disc golf course in the US The vast majority are in public parks Bay Area course in Golden Gate Park, Berkeley, Novato & Moraga (all in public parks)
Who is the San Francisco Disc Golf Club?
San Francisco Disc Golf Club Formed in 1997 All-volunteer club Not-for-profit Fiscal Sponsorship with San Francisco Parks Trust All funds raised by donations Built the Golden Gate Park Disc Golf Course in 2007 742 total due paying members Members contribute appox. 1,500 volunteer hours per year
San Francisco Disc Golf Club All Ages Men & Women Diverse Backgrounds Diverse Socio-economic Community Married & Single Kids Dogs One common theme: Love to spend time in the parks.
Community Outreach Educating Giving Back Programs to teach kids the rules & etiquette of Disc Golf Richmond YMCA Mission Boys & Girls Club Money raised for Larkin Street Youth Services 2008: $1000 2009: $1750
Community Outreach McLaren Park
Disc Golf in San Francisco
Golden Gate Park Course Temporary Course Built in 2002 Decomposed Granite Tee Pads Baskets No other in"astructure during this 30 month trail period
Golden Gate Park Course Temporary Course Extremely Popular Played by many casual users & new disc golfers Developed a very active volunteer base
Golden Gate Park Course Lessons Learned Damage to a few young trees Loss of some ground cover due to 18 holes being squeezed into 12 holes Decomposed gravel from tees dispersed requiring heavy maintenance
Golden Gate Park Course Permanent Course Construction Constructed completely by volunteers over 7 months 4200 volunteer hours by 183 different people $60,000 in materials paid for by SFDGC
Lessons Learned for Future Courses Trees Arborist Report called for protection of young trees Changed layout to avoid these young trees Some tree screens installed to protect some of the young trees
Lessons Learned for Future Courses Trees
Lessons Learned for Future Courses Trails Defined trails One Path from Tee to Basket Stairs Terracing paths on Hills
Lessons Learned for Future Courses Tee Pads Concrete pads to minimize impact Retaining walls prevent erosion Wood chips around tees Created natural benches
Lessons Learned for Future Courses Course Planing Planned for more space between holes Planted bushes & flowers Installed multiple pin positions for each hole.
Lessons Learned for Future Courses Responsibilities Course was a gift to the city upon completion SFDGC has agreement with city to provide maintenance (Area supervisor, local gardner, etc.) We provide feedback to the Parks Department
Disc Golf in McLaren Park
Disc Golf in McLaren Course Construction Course will be constructed entirely by volunteers Course will be paid for entirely by donations from individuals Course will be gifted to the city after construction Course will be maintained by SFDGC volunteers in cooperation with SF Rec. & Parks
Disc Golf in McLaren Positive Contributions to the Park New Free Activity for All to Enjoy Excited new volunteer base New group of dedicated and concerned park users Safer park More advocates for McLaren Park Path construction and maintenance Additional plantings Trash pickup
Disc Golf in McLaren Maintenance Schedule Daily: Club members will pick up trash Monthly: Baskets will be moved, trails cleared & signs checked for graffiti Quarterly: Trail maintenance, erosion monitoring, debris clearing, visual checking of tee pads, baskets & tree protection Semi-Annual: Walkthrough with members of the department to examine how the course is working
Disc Golf in McLaren Other Items Special Events at the Jerry Garcia Amphitheater SFDGC has experience with large events Hardly Strictly Bluegrass Outside Lands We would work with the organizers of the amphitheater & Rec & Parks, to close the holes near the amphitheater parking lot during big events.
Thank You! We are really excited to work with all of you to make this a great project for all.
Responsibility of the San Francisco Disc Golf Club Volunteers Course will be constructed entirely by volunteers Course will be paid for entirely by donations from individuals Course will be gifted to the city after construction Course will be maintained by volunteers in cooperation with Rec & Park Department
Proposed Maintenance Schedule and Feedback Daily Monthly Quarterly Semi-Annually Club members will pick up trash Baskets will be shifted, trails cleared & signs checked for graffiti Trail maintenance, erosion monitoring, debris clearing, visual checking of tee pads, baskets & tree protection Walkthrough with members of the Department to examine how the course is working
Contact Information Any report of problems in the park Call 311 San Francisco Recreation & Parks Department James Threat, Neighborhood Service Area Manager 415.695.5004
Where Do We Go From Here? With your feedback, finalize course layout Complete Environmental Review Finalize agreement between City and San Francisco Disc Golf Club Memorandum of Understanding
Thank you! Questions/ Answers