Council approves 18-hole disc-golf course at The Glen on two-year trial after lengthy debate

The Portsmouth Town Council approved an 18‑hole disc‑golf course at Glen Park on a two‑year trial, voting 4–3 after nearly three hours of public comment and multiple design revisions requested by neighbors and council members.

Proponents — including Roderick Dube and course designer Dan Marr — presented revised 18‑ and 9‑hole layouts that removed several holes near the Manor House and reoriented holes that previously risked sending discs into the road or over stone walls. The plan calls for installation of removable targets (baskets) and limited 4x4 posts; supporters said the course is not a commercial venture and any income from registration or events would go to the town through the recreation department to maintain The Glen.

Opponents raised aesthetic, safety and maintenance concerns. Longtime Glen stewards described the park’s history and urged preservation of open vistas; the conservation commission and several residents asked the council to slow the process and study alternative town-owned sites. Concerns included potential increases in visitors and cars, management of volunteers and fees, damage or changes to fields used for other recreation, and the need to repair infrastructure at The Glen (a broken step on a bridge, erosion near a proposed parking area, and a collapsed shed/bathroom structure) before new activity increased use.

Course designers and the parks-and-recreation committee said they had walked the site with DPW and adjusted the course to avoid stone-wall crossings and reduce interference with existing trails. Dan Marr described multiple changes made after community feedback: removing holes from the Manor House fields and using existing wall breaks and paths where possible.

Council members debated the financial and operational impacts. Supporters emphasized minimal town cost for installation and that volunteers and user fees would fund baskets and upkeep; they also pointed to examples of other municipal courses where players have contributed volunteer time for cleanups and invasive-species removal. Critics questioned the assumed volunteer support, pointed to staffing shortfalls in DPW and Parks & Recreation, and asked for explicit cost estimates and maintenance commitments.

Before the vote councilors requested DPW fix identified hazards (the damaged step and erosion) and asked proponents to coordinate with finance, planning and DPW on an operating plan. The motion that passed permits an 18‑hole course on a two‑year trial; proponents and staff were directed to complete fundraising and installation according to town requirements and to submit maintenance/operating coordination to the town administrator.