Midvale council directs staff to move disc-golf tee and basket after neighbor complaints

The Midvale City Council on Aug. 5 directed staff to move the launch pad and basket for Hole 8 at Midvale City Park and to explore planting trees as a longer-term buffer after a nearby homeowner complained that discs have increasingly landed in his backyard.

The move follows multiple resident complaints about discs and people climbing fences to retrieve them. Lehi Kennedy, Midvale City public works director, told the council that the nine‑hole course was installed in 2021 in partnership with Group 6 and that most course features were donated. "The options that we've come up with is to try to move the basket again a little further to the Southwest," Kennedy said, describing lower‑cost alternatives staff could implement quickly.

The council debated several options: moving the launch box or basket (low staff cost but may congest the course), installing safety nets (estimated $5,000 to $14,000 for a single property and likely requiring tree trimming or removal), doing nothing, or removing the hole entirely. Staff members said nets would require outside installation, ongoing maintenance and set a precedent for other adjacent properties.

Resident David Fair, who identified himself as living at 7552 South Jefferson Street, told the council he has collected an increasing number of discs this year. "I have definitely had more disc in my backyard this year," Fair said, and described confrontational recoveries when players try to retrieve discs by standing on fences or entering private property. Fair suggested adjusting the tee location and distance to reduce the number of discs landing in backyards.

Council members and staff noted that park signage already warns players not to trespass to retrieve discs. "We do have signage up there that says, as you can see, if it lands, do not trespass on private property to retrieve it," the mayor said during the discussion. Staff also reported that holes and tee boxes have been moved in the past to respond to complaints and that the removal of large trees on neighboring property likely contributed to an uptick in errant throws this year.

After discussion the council gave direction to staff to move the launch pad and basket for Hole 8 and to evaluate tree planting as a longer‑term mitigation; the council did not approve netting at this time and said it should be considered only if other measures fail.

The council asked staff to consult with Group 6, the course designer, before making final configuration changes and to return with results and recommended signage updates. Councilmembers said they preferred trying relocation and plantings before pursuing nets, which they described as expensive and visually intrusive.

The council’s direction is administrative rather than a formal ordinance or resolution; staff will implement the relocation and report back if additional action is required.