“For me, it’s watching the disc fly.”
Chris Vance describes his favorite game of disc golf, which he plays a few times a month at Eastview Park.
“It’s the best thing in the world – the things you can do, especially in the woods like here in Eastview.”
The wooded park in North Vancouver is home to a 9-hole disc golf course.
But mounting complaints from nearby residents mean Vance and other disc golfers who frequent the park will soon have to play elsewhere.
Earlier this month, members of the community expressed concerns about safety, litter, the smell of cannabis smoke, overcrowding and bad behavior – including urinating in public – from disc golfers at the park.
Complaints were received during the COVID-19 pandemic as the sport, also known as Frisbee golf, grew in popularity and more people frequented Lynn Valley Park’s disc golf course, which opened in 2009.
“It’s not about … if an accident is going to happen — a child gets hurt — it happens,” resident Gordon Moore said during the Feb. 6 city council meeting.
Another resident, Lindsay Mabel, cited the park’s “slow and steady deterioration” due to increased foot traffic off the designated paths and the behavior of some disc golfers.
“Discs are thrown carelessly throughout the park, and often without the due care and attention of those walking the path surrounding the park,” she said.
They are calling for the removal and relocation of the park’s disc golf course.
“We are very aware of the concerns of the neighbors”
North Shore Disc Golf Club admits there have been problems.
Athal Christie, a board member at the club, says the number of people playing at Eastview has “exploded” since the pandemic began, and admits there can be too many people for the size of the park.
“We are very aware of the concerns of neighbors and want the park to be valued and enjoyed by all,” Christie told CBC News.
“So we’re really willing to work to keep disc golf going, especially for some of the younger players.”
Disc golfers say the park is ideal for young players and people new to the sport.
Vance says the park’s small size helps.
“Me and my friends, we’re adults, we play hard and we throw big,” Vance said. “[Eastview] is more technical…the kids can see the basket from the tee, so it’s a lot more fun for them.”
Vance says the complaints have been mixed up with other issues and that disc golfers in general are “very respectful”.
“There are a few people who are a little unlucky and a few disc golfers who don’t play by the rules.”
Dirk van Renesse, another Eastview regular, says the majority of players are aware they may hit passers-by.
“When they throw, they are aware – no one wants to hit anyone,” he said.
Make park accessibility a priority: City Council
North Vancouver City Councilor Tony Valente also acknowledged the safety issue, citing the presence of a nearby elementary school and retirement home.
“It’s part of our priorities in the city to have parks that are accessible to all people, and it feels like we haven’t quite found that balance in that park right now and that’s what we’re trying to address,” he said CBC News.
count. Angela Girard said they are considering modifying the existing disc golf course or moving it to another park.
Council staff are expected to make recommendations to resolve the issue in the coming months.
It would be disappointing for van Renesse and Vance to see the disc golf park closed or relocated.
“But if they could find another location that wasn’t controversial, the hikers wouldn’t have any safety issues whatsoever [around]I wouldn’t be averse to that,” said van Renesse.
