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Board allows monitored disc golf opening after heated debate over rare plants
Summary
Henry County Memorial Park board heard competing testimony from conservationists who warned that a new disc golf course threatens rare plants and disc golf advocates who cited $20,000 in volunteer investment and community benefits; the board voted to allow a monitored opening event while postponing final construction pending a review of an ecological assessment.
The Memorial Park Board voted to allow a monitored opening event for a newly installed disc golf course but delayed final construction decisions after hearing competing testimony about ecological harm and community benefits.
Conservationist Helen, who helped arrange a recent ecological assessment, told the board the park contains “a remnant forest” with rare plants and warned that regular trampling around teepads and baskets will cause irreversible losses. “To me, it’s a crime against nature,” she said, urging the board to follow the assessment’s recommended protected-area boundaries.
Representatives of the Muny Area Disc Golf Club and other local clubs disputed that characterization, saying the layout was designed around existing trails and aimed to remove invasive or already dead vegetation. Club representative Chris said volunteers and supporters have invested about $20,000 and hundreds of hours in the project and defended clearing and maintenance practices as safety and conservation-minded: “This course was done with… existing shapes. We will make that work with removing invasive species,” he said.
Board members pressed both sides on specifics. Conservation speakers cited an ecological report and identified rare species — including hepatica and golden seal — near several proposed fairways and baskets; they said some high-quality plant patches were already crushed at a teepad and a basket. Disc golf proponents said much of the cutting used hand loppers and targeted invasive or storm‑damaged trees and that the group had flagged areas and sought to avoid sensitive zones.
The board debated options including halting the project, rerouting holes to grassy areas, or allowing a limited, monitored opening. In the end, the board approved a motion to permit the Monty Area Disc Golf Club’s event on June 28 while postponing any further concrete pouring or additional construction until the board completes a final review of construction plans and the new ecological assessment this week; the motion included monitoring by park staff and board members during the event. The motion passed with one opposition noted.
Supporters emphasized community benefits and fundraising potential: Nancy Lewis of the Henry County Community Foundation said donors had contributed to the course and that it could bring visitors and economic activity to the county. Other local disc golf organizers described programs that bring kids and older adults into parks and said courses are less intrusive than other sports that require intensive maintenance.
The board instructed staff to coordinate a review of the ecological assessment, continue work on erosion mitigations and bridges where fairways cross drainage, and monitor the upcoming event. The vote leaves long‑term decisions about final pad pouring, permanent signage and course routing pending the board’s review.
