Disc Golf Testimonials From 'Officials'

Just a handy, short-term place to "park" testimonials from city and other officials who recognize the value of disc golf. If you have more to add—and we urge you to please ask someone and get a good one—send what you get to splendid@umich.edu and we'll put it here.

• Ann Arbor, MI: Overall Value of DG + Specific on Safety Perceptions: "The disc golf courses that have been built in two of Ann Arbor's parks have been a true success in many ways. Prior to the disc golf courses being built, both Mary Beth Doyle Park and Bandemer Park were hardly used by the public, even by neighbors of the park, because there was no one there, and that abandoned nature gave the parks bad reputations. At the recommendation of the disc golf community, both parks were targeted as places that would make great courses, and that would help turn the parks around. This indeed has happened, and both areas have been heavily used by disc golfers as well as joggers, bicyclists and families. In fact, Mary Beth Doyle Park had to be closed for the last two years for major construction, and we received a myriad of complaints because that part of town no longer had a course. In many ways, the sport is an ideal recreation opportunity for the Parks department as well; the course is inexpensive to install and maintain, and provides opportunities for a wide variety of users. It was a good 'bang for the buck' for the taxpayers of Ann Arbor, and is much appreciated by the users." - Amy Beth Kuras, Landscape Architect, Parks Planning and Development, Parks & Recreation Department, City of Ann Arbor, Michigan