Portsmouth council hears residents, experts dispute safety, process for Glen Park disc golf trial

The Portsmouth Town Council took public testimony and heard expert comment on Oct. 27 about an approved two‑year trial of a recreational disc golf course at Lehi (Glen) Park, as residents raised concerns about notice, park acreage, user conflicts, traffic speeds on Glen Road and potential insurance exposure.

Residents said they learned of the proposal late and asked the council to reconsider or provide fuller notice. Thomas Penning, a Glen Road resident, said, “I only learned about this proposal when the town council agenda appeared online a few days before the August 12 meeting,” and urged the council to “reconsider your vote, and allow written and verbal public comments before any further action.” Cynthia Burke, who has walked the park for about 30 years, said she was “concerned about walking and having something whizzing through the air” and that she was “just not comfortable” with discs and dogs using the same space.

A number of speakers pressed the council on technical and planning details. Emily Skehan, a marine scientist who also said she serves on the Portsmouth School Committee (speaking in a personal capacity), noted apparent inconsistencies in planning documents and conservation designations: she said the town’s 2022 comprehensive plan maps Glen Park as both “reserved” and “conserved” in separate maps, and that the parks and open‑space master plan lists Glen Park at roughly 9.4–9.5 acres. Skehan said the Professional Disc Golf Association’s (PDGA) guidance and other participants' testimony suggested an 18‑hole championship course typically requires 30–40 acres. She told the council the master plan identifies Lehi (Glen) Park as “heavily used” and noted concerns already recorded in the master plan about traffic safety tied to increased sports activity.

Speakers also submitted technical and risk assessments. Harik Enshin, who identified himself as a retired U.S. Navy commander and a property‑casualty insurance broker, urged the council that the town risk manager and the Rhode Island Interlocal Risk Management Trust be satisfied the new exposure was evaluated. “My only concern is that the town has done due diligence with respect to risk management on this added exposure,” Enshin said, describing typical requirements such as tenant liability coverage and additional insured endorsements for leagues or organized events.

Proponents and several council members said the approved plan has been designed to avoid active fields and that the course is intended as a recreational (non‑championship) layout. A course proponent, Roderick, said course design reviewed with parks staff and council members intentionally avoids soccer and softball fields and other high‑use areas, and argued that other park activities carry higher injury and liability risk. Roderick said “Not a single death has ever happened due to a disc,” and noted an isolated eye‑injury case in Martha’s Vineyard that a jury later found to be caused by the injured person’s actions.

Traffic and usage data were presented by residents. Bryce Healy and other Glen Road neighbors cited local traffic counts and speed measurements: a 2021 count they provided showed an average of about 743.7 cars eastbound (about 1,450 two‑way estimated) and recorded hourly maximum speeds up to the mid‑60s mph; a more recent count showed eastbound average volumes of about 1,203.9 cars per day (about 2,400 two‑way estimated) and similar top speeds. Neighbors said those trends reflect increased events and Manor House use and argue they increase risks for pedestrians and children.

Council procedure and next steps. Council members said the disc golf item was discussed at multiple prior meetings and at a site walkthrough; some members acknowledged that the layout was not irrevocably fixed and that holes could be adjusted after community input. The council president stated the course had been approved previously as a two‑year trial and that the council would not re‑vote the matter that night, but allowed extended public comment to register concerns. No new formal action on the trial was taken during the Oct. 27 public comment period.

Votes at a glance (actions taken earlier in the Oct. 27 session): - Consent agenda: motion to receive and place on file — passed 7–0. - Approval of minutes (Oct. 14 regular and executive session): passed 7–0. - Tax vouchers (listed in transcript as $20.25 $10.27‑$0.01 and $20.25 $10.27‑$0.02): motion approved 7–0. - Appointments: David Kirland and Carrie Mathers Kirland to the dog park committee — approved 7–0. - Appointments to Economic Development Committee: (mister Rigo) — approved 7–0; (Peter J. Tyler Wych Witteks, name as read in record) — approved 7–0.

Why it matters: the Glen/Lehi Park is a high‑use, small community green space. Residents, user groups and the town’s planning and risk processes are trying to balance new recreational opportunities with safety, maintenance capacity, conservation rules and traffic impacts. Speakers asked the council to reconcile planning maps, publish missing committee minutes and provide clearer outreach and a maintenance plan if the trial proceeds.

What’s next: the council did not reopen or rescind its prior approval that evening; proponents and residents agreed multiple adjustments to the course layout are possible. Residents said they will submit written material for the record; the council president allowed additional testimony but did not schedule another vote that night.

Ending note: testimony at the Oct. 27 meeting combined technical detail, personal experience and appeals about local process. The council’s public record and any follow‑up risk or traffic assessments will be decisive for whether the trial proceeds without modification or whether the town adopts further restrictions or alternative locations.