Nashua approves 18‑hole Roby Park disc golf course over conservation objections; board adds advisory on a steep hole

The Nashua Zoning Board of Adjustment voted unanimously Oct. 22 to grant a wetland‑buffer special exception that allows the city to install an 18‑hole disc golf course in Roby Park, directing the project to planning‑board site review and adding an advisory that the applicant revisit Hole 3’s design because of slope and erosion concerns.

City public‑works director Lisa Foto opened the presentation by describing broad community support and a petition of more than 600 residents asking for a course. "Disc golf has by far the greatest potential to enrich the lives of all of our residents... It is free, can be played at any age," Foto said, adding the Board of Public Works and the mayor support the project.

Attorney Andy Pearlman, presenting for the city, said plans were revised after prior hearings to add bridges and consolidate trails to reduce wetland impacts and incorporate Conservation Commission suggestions. The application requests permission to remove trees and brush in buffer areas, install nine wooden pedestrian bridges, place tee pads and disc baskets, add directional signage, wetland markers and trash barrels, and otherwise formalize trails for an 18‑hole layout.

The city introduced technical evidence from wetland scientist Brendon Quigley and engineer Dan Hudson. Quigley testified the design limits wetland impacts, uses bridges to span wetland crossings, proposes hand‑pruning and minimal clearing, and that in his professional opinion the work would not produce significant wetland harm if implemented to plan: "I don't see in my professional opinion, a significant or even any impact to the wetlands on the property," he said.

Opponents—neighbors, conservation‑commission members and outside experts—pressed for more complete site plans, argued the site has steep slopes that could produce erosion and sedimentation into Old Maids Brook, and questioned whether out‑of‑state or non‑resident support letters overstated local endorsement. Conservation Commission member Carol Sarno said buffer disturbance and trails across steep banks risked compaction, erosion and long‑term water‑quality harm. Designer‑critic Yana Irma, an architect with landscape experience, said the drawings were incomplete for detailed conservation review and urged a scaled redesign or a smaller (9‑hole) alternative.

Board members balanced those concerns with testimony that the trail network exists today, that some ad‑hoc crossings would be upgraded to formal bridges, and that the city had revised plans in response to ConCom comments. The approved motion finds the use is allowed in the district as a recreational activity, that the project as revised represents a reasonable attempt at minimization and mitigation, and that the proposed bridges and buffer markers meet the wetland special‑condition tests.

The board approved the special exception 5‑0. Members noted that planning‑board site‑plan review and typical municipal permits remain necessary and that the approval is limited to the wetland‑buffer work described to the ZBA. The board added an advisory to the record encouraging the applicant to re‑examine Hole 3’s tee/basket location to reduce erosion risk during subsequent detailed design and planning‑board review.

Next steps include planning‑board site‑plan submittal, detailed construction drawings for bridges and crossings, and any state wetland/ DES coordination required for buffer mitigation and restoration. The decision carries the standard 30‑day rehearing/appeal period.