Freedom Park update: volunteers thin forest, lay out disc-golf holes and trails

Parks staff updated the advisory commission on work at Freedom Park, saying crews and volunteers have started clearing undergrowth, marking disc-golf fairways and tentative walking trails, and addressing downed timber and ladder fuel to reduce fire hazard.

Staff showed photos of the 75-acre forested property and described Hole 1 of the proposed disc-golf course as a pilot example of the intended approach: much of the mature, healthy tree canopy will remain, and crews are thinning invasive or overgrown underbrush rather than creating large cleared swaths. Eric McCabe provided the course layout; staff said the yellow areas in the plan indicate fairways while a tentative walking trail is shown in red.

Parks staff and volunteers used brush trimmers, chainsaws and a small tracked skid steer to remove undergrowth and cut down hazard material. Staff emphasized the work is “low-impact” and that the 40-foot figure used by the designer refers primarily to required airspace for flying discs rather than a 40-foot cleared corridor of forest.

Staff estimated they could complete the majority of trail and disc-golf clearing if work continues through the summer, possibly opening some sections later this year. They are pursuing a simplified stormwater compliance report from an engineering firm because trailhead areas may require documentation even though trails will mostly leave permeable forest floor in place.

Commission members discussed volunteer mobilization, flagging additional holes for crew work, and planting plans for future tree replacement or reforestation at appropriate sites. The Woodby Island Disc Golf Club expressed interest in sponsoring saplings through event entry fees for future replanting.