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Council approves temporary disc‑golf modifications at Lake Hiawatha Preserve for national tournament, amid environmental concerns
Summary
Council approved temporary landscaping and a second temporary course at Lake Hiawatha Preserve to host the 2026 United States Masters Disc Golf Championships, drawing strong public comment on habitat impacts and questions about whether staff authorized early site work.
Council voted to allow staff‑approved temporary landscaping and installation of a second temporary disc‑golf course at Lake Hiawatha Preserve to support a national Masters event expected to bring about 500 players and their families. The approval authorizes temporary, removable course infrastructure with a firm removal date and staff oversight.
Parks director Brian Foreman described the request as approval to complete remaining temporary landscaping and install removable baskets and tee boxes; staff emphasized that any landscape work would be temporary and removable by the specified take‑down date. Supporters, including Matt Knight (Lake County Disc Golf Club president) and other club representatives, said the event will bring tourism revenue and relied on volunteer management. Opponents—including local wildlife and preservation experts—argued the preserve was purchased, in part, to protect natural habitat and warned that additional clearing and foot traffic would damage understory, spread invasive species and displace wildlife.
A central contested question was whether the club conducted work on site without explicit council approval. City staff acknowledged prior communications with the club and said staff had asked for design details but did not give a blanket authorization to begin land‑altering work; the council heard conflicting accounts. Staff and some councilmembers emphasized that the current work largely involved mowing and that staff would require removal and restoration by the agreed‑upon date.
Vote and conditions: Council approved the temporary course and landscaping work by a 4–1 vote with a removal deadline (staff originally said May 24; council discussion settled on a requirement for removal by the stated date in the staff motion/packet and clear restoration obligations). The council asked staff to define and enforce precise restoration expectations, hold partners to a no‑funding requirement by the city, and to coordinate follow‑up monitoring.
What’s next: Parks staff will supervise removal and restoration after the event, ensure insurance certificates if outside contractors are involved, and return with any required follow‑up reporting.
