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« on: January 22, 2009, 11:24:01 AM »
Here it is guys. Let me know if you have any specific questions or concerns and I can take them directly to the city if need be. I applaud the city for being honest and wanting to continue to share information.
Brian P - your humble Legacy Park CC
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FROM Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation
TO: KCFDC
RE: Lee’s Summit Legacy Park Disc Golf Course Development Report
First, we would like to thank all of the volunteers that have contributed their time and input into the design and construction of our course over the past several months. Your efforts have significantly contributed to an improved course layout. Your club’s commitment to expanding the sport is exemplary.
As you know, several different locations have been reviewed for our first course and several KCFDC members have been involved in that review process. A decision was made in 2008 to locate the course at Legacy Park. This proved to be an excellent location due to the open setting, more cost effective construction opportunities, ease of access and the availability of parking, restrooms and shelters. In addition, the location of the parks central maintenance facility nearby offers a level of passive security to this area of the park.
During the planning stages of the course, we solicited input from a group of players who had contacted us regarding the new course or were residents of Lee’s Summit who were active in the sport. From the beginning, we tried to maintain a working size to the group that could represent the interests of KCFDC but also work with LSPR staff in accomplishing the goals of the project. Our landscape architect, who had the lead for this project, worked with the player group to develop the best design to match our goals for the course.
The following outlines the goals of LSPR in the development of a disc golf course at Legacy:
• Provide a recreational amenity for the community that advances the sport and is enjoyable for the beginner or average player but also provide some challenge for the skilled player. It has not been our intent to design or build a “tournament” level facility.
• Provide a setting where players can safely walk the course without the risk of injury. While the site at Legacy does have its scenic areas in both wooded areas and open prairie, it also has diverse terrain which can put walkers at risk of injury if care is not taken in eliminating these hazards.
• Provide a course with a variety of hole topography, layout, and distance with flexibility in the way it can be setup in order to maintain player interest.
After LSPR staff finalized a preliminary layout and installed concrete tee pads, we had a walk-through of the layout with a player group. We had most of the basket locations staked and some members of the group played the layout. General comments on the layout were positive. Specific comments focused on mowing of fairways. Some of the basket locations were relocated or an additional basket location added. It was a very productive meeting. LSPR staff went to work on expanding the fairway mowing to make the course more playable for the average player and reduce the potential of lost discs, etc. It was decided to do a more extensive mowing initially to identify and repair any walking hazards. The course will have a “low maintenance” appearance with native grass areas but also maintain playability with wider fairway corridors.
The walk-through was followed up with a work day to install basket sleeves at the designated locations. Several local players and KCFDC members assisted our staff with the work. At that time, it was identified by some members of the group that some minor adjustments would need to be made on several of the holes (13-15). Concern revolved around poor drainage and lack of hole difficulty in these areas. These holes were re-routed and work is currently underway to correct drainage issues.
LSPR staff is continuing to put the finishing touches on the course including layout of bench and trash pads, low water crossing, and tee signs. We hope to have the work completed by the end of February 2009. We feel that the finishing touches will address most, if not all, of the feedback from the player groups. Weather permitting, we anticipate the course to open in the spring of 2009 and we will keep your club advised as the exact date and any events associated with the opening.
While our course has not been specifically designed for tournament level play, we believe you will find it to be a course that is equal to or better than others in the area and has met or exceeded our goal from the outset of the project.
Play on the course will be free of charge and open during park hours. Any organized play such as tournaments or leagues will require special permits from Parks and Recreation. Initially these will be done on a case by case basis through our Park Operations and Park Recreation division.
If you have any additional questions or comments, feel free to contact Lee’s Summit Parks and Recreation staff at:
Gary Welty, Superintendent of Park Construction 816.966.1532
Steve Casey, Assistant Superintendent of 816.969.1507
Park Planning and Development
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