BERLIN, CT — Plans to build a disc golf course at the Pistol Creek Park in Berlin are on hold, with a town council hearing last week showing mostly opposition.
As a result, the Berlin Town Council, after the mayor closed the hearing, indicated the idea would be re-evaluated.
"Hearing everything, we'll go back and look at a lot of things," Berlin Mayor Mark Kaczynski said at the June 3 meeting
"It was great for the input, and we'll go back and figure some things out. We'll go back and do some more looking and thinking, and we'll figure everything out."
Pistol Creek Park, which is located at 600 Spruce Brook Road, was once a traditional golf course that, upon its closure, was taken over by the town and, eventually, turned into a passive recreation park.
Currently, it is home to a dog park, and its popular network of trails and walking paths is frequently used by those in town, especially senior citizens.
Many speaking at the June 3 public hearing expressed concerns about the make-up of the park's passive recreation atmosphere and how that would change if a competitive sport like disc golf were introduced there.
"This proposal effectively takes away a critical recreational outlet from a portion of our population," said resident George Millerd.
"Wildlife in the park could also be affected by the activity. The quiet, peaceful atmosphere will be replaced by the sounds and activity of competitive sport."
He said he had no problem with disc golf as a sport, but questioned whether Pistol Creek was right for that sport.
Resident Scott Skates said he "enjoys the quiet and safety the park provides."
If disc golf were brought to Pistol Creek, Skates said he had concerns about drinking and marijuana use by players utilizing the facility.
Others, like Dylan Benson, were concerned about potential damage to nearby homes and/or people getting hit by wayward discs.
Some of the area residents recalled damage to their property from golf balls and feared similar issues with discs.
There were some proponents for the course, namely local disc golf players who said the playing community is respectful of where they play and of those using the park.
Essentially, they said, folks walking the trails have nothing to fear regarding disc golf players.
"It is either posted at the course or known that if there is anyone walking nearby, you let them pass before throwing," said Berlin resident Toby Sznaj.
"The disc golf community is also known for leaving areas where they play as they found them and also for maintaining the playing areas."
Resident Steve Allen said he has played disc golf for 15 years and the Pistol Creek plans would, likely, result in players not crossing paths with walkers.
He said he supported the feature at Pistol Creek, saying it would provide another opportunity for folks to play this growing sport.
Allen said disc golf doesn't require significant town maintenance, yet it also provides folks with a new pastime.
"The capital outlay is small, and the course requires no additional maintenance. The sport itself is also low-cost to play, making it open to many residents," said Allen.
Recreation officials said they may look at other disc golf options at other parts of town or, perhaps, they might look to fine-tune plans at Pistol Creek.
Regardless, the town doesn't appear to be ready to begin constructing a disc golf park anytime soon, though the idea is not dead altogether.
For the minutes of the June 3 Berlin Town Council meeting, click on this link.