Disc golf coming to Hanns Park in 2021?
Presentation made to GVRD
It’s not quite in the basket yet, but the issue concerning a new disc golf course at Vallejo continues to be tossed around.
On Thursday night, Jon Riley, one of the co-designers of the proposed course, made a presentation to members of the Greater Vallejo Recreation District about what it would take to get a disc golf course up and running at Hanns Park in Vallejo.
Disc golf is a sport similar to
golf in which players throw a disc from a tee pad to a target; usually a metal basket. The game is played in about 40 countries and, as of 2020, there are 71,016 active members worldwide.
In 2019 Riley contacted GVRD General Manager Gabe Lanusse to inquire about what steps could bring a course to Vallejo. COVID-19 has delayed the issue, but recently Riley received an email from GVRD asking for more information about the opportunity.
“I thought the presentation went very well on Thursday,” Riley said. “There was a lot of information presented and we’ll be working with Gabe and Sal (Nuno) to try and bring a course to Vallejo. It’s definitely in their court now, but I feel confident that with Measure K there is enough in the budget to make this happen. We are standing by ready to do whatever we need to do to make this happen.”
On Friday, Lanusse confirmed that money could come from Measure K, saying in an email to the Times-Herald that “We are thankful for measure K because it allows us to make improvements like this to our parks for Vallejoans.”
Lanusse was also impressed with the presentation from Riley and is excited to move forward with the project, saying the issue now “goes to the parks and facility department where GVRD will order supplies, figure out installation of most or all of the components, then coordinate with volunteers.” Lanusse couldn’t estimate a time frame when the course could possibly open if approved, but said “hopefully within this calendar year.”
“I thought it was a good presentation and provided key aspects of the community telling us what they wanted, where, use, costs, and support,” Lanusse said.
“Disc golf is actually in our 10-year master plan data. We had looked at costs a couple years back, so this gave us updated information, and a component of community volunteers. We are not sure about an issue with safety, but with a new amenity, this will bring more people and more eyes to the park. I walked various possibilities over the past couple years, and think players will enjoy the different aspects of nature. It’s not just a big lawn area.”
Riley along with Danny Bernardin and Dave Wren, have been working on developing a course at the Vallejo park on 198 Skyline Drive. In late June a test run was given at the park so many active players could see what the proposed course would look like and if it would work.
“We had already explored using Hanns Park, which is underutilized, as the perfect park to bring one of the fastest-growing sports in America,” Riley said last month and again recently in a Letter to the Editor. “With a beautiful eucalyptus forest that opens to a spacious meadow, it has all the elements needed. And with it comes hundreds, if not thousands of players to Vallejo and Hann’s Park, introducing them to the reasons why we choose to live and play in this wonderful city. Local businesses will benefit and with more people utilizing the park the undesirable elements will feel less comfortable loitering about. And one bonus for the neighbors is that they can brag to their friends that they now live on a golf course!”
The cost for the course could be anywhere from $12,000 to $20,000, according to Riley. Whether or not the money for this comes from the GVRD budget or has to be raised by Riley is still being discussed.
“That’s the question. I can go out and raise money for this, but I feel better if GVRD was behind it and was part of their amenities,” Riley said. “If GVRD has the resources, we’re there to help in any way we can help. It can cost $12,000, but if you want it to be first class and to put in walls, signage and a lot of benches for the course it could be closer to $20,000. I don’t want to jump the gun on this, but I think the community wants this.”
Lanusse said the proposed disc golf course is just one of many great new things hopefully coming soon to Vallejo.
“I really do appreciate receiving input from the community regarding what they want, and the willingness to assist us in the development,” Lanusse said. “In the past we worked with pickle ball players to add courts to our system. Now we have a group asking for a roller skating area, and another asker for additional basketball courts. It may take awhile, but we are making community improvements.”