Board considers new disc-golf signage, graffiti response and volunteer ‘green teams’

The Guthrie Parks and Urban Forestry Board discussed improving disc-golf signage at Highland Park, removing long-standing graffiti and forming small citizen volunteer teams to respond quickly to vandalism.

Board members said several course signs and hole markers have been graffitied or spray-painted, with some paint persisting for years. Members recommended replacing tree-mounted markers with durable ground-mounted signs for the course’s two to three mandatory holes, and noted volunteers have sometimes spray-painted trees or attached plastic ribbon for temporary markers.

Crosslands Construction, which is serving as construction manager on several local projects, has approached city leadership and offered to help replace or repair damaged course signs, the board said. Members asked staff to coordinate sign locations and quantities with JB, who handles course placement information.

Separately, members proposed a small, park-level volunteer response network — “green teams” — with five people assigned to each park to tackle quick tasks such as removing graffiti, repainting, and light cleanup. The board discussed keeping the program informal: residents would supply paint or tools and use a group text to coordinate immediate responses, rather than waiting for city crews.

Board members emphasized the approach is intended to supplement, not replace, city maintenance; staff said coordination with parks staff would be required to confirm acceptable paint choices and ensure safety.

The board asked staff to photograph damaged signs, estimate replacement needs and report back with a plan for sign replacement and volunteer coordination.