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Jamie Smith
Kevin Throop goes for the basket at Birch Point Sunday afternoon.
Residents walking near Birch Point will here "Fore!" coming out of the woods now that the city has created a disc golf course.
The 18-hole course was set up over the Spring with target baskets installed earlier this Summer. John Gotwals said he first started playing the sport in Edmonton in 2001. He said it’s great that the city has installed the free course for residents to use the park.
"It’s awesome. It’s such a great way to get outside when you don’t really want a workout but you want to be outside and throwing the disc around a bit," Gotwals. "It’s in a beautiful park and it’s just a great way to spend an afternoon."
The sport is much more difficult than throwing a Frisbee around during a day at the beach though he added. With drivers, irons and putting discs, more accurate for shorter distances, Gotwals said it can be a challenge. Discs range in price from $15 to $30 each depending on the quality said Gotwals.
City park planner Werner Schwar said the city wanted the course at Birch Point because Boulevard Lake is already such a recreation hub but the East side of the lake was under utilized. No site preparation was required Schwar said and purchasing and installing the baskets cost around $6,000. The feedback si far has been positive.
"I think most people still don’t know it’s up and opening but the comments we have so far especially from the youth really love the activity," Schwar said.
The city plans to have an official launch for the course in the second week of August.
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