News - Local News

POSTED: Saturday, Jul. 04, 2009

Ferndale could get new disc golf course

FERNDALE - A new disc golf course could soon go up in VanderYacht Park if the Ferndale City Council approves $10,000 requested for the project at its meeting Monday, July 6.

Money would come from the Parks Mitigation Fund, which sets aside dollars collected from residential or commercial developments. The money can be used only for new projects to enhance parks, according to Mayor Gary Jensen.

"We have to spend it for things like that," Jensen said.

The idea of building a beginners' course at the park already has been given the nod by the Community Coordinating Association and the Park, Recreation, Trails Advisory Board.

On Wednesday, July 1, the Public Health & Neighborhood Services Committee - which is one of the City Council's committees - also recommended approval of the project.

Disc golf, also called frolf from its days when it was known as Frisbee golf, is played like regular golf. Just substitute different types of flying discs for different clubs and metal baskets for holes.

Ferndale officials said the course would be laid out and the equipment installed with guidance from Mike Leslie, a professional disc golfer who lives in Bellingham.

The course would be in the woods in the northern part of VanderYacht Park, near a trail.

The entire park is a dog off-leash area, which Jensen said could create some conflicts.

Still, the mayor and others in Ferndale hope the course draws more people to the park at Washington Street and Portal Way. That, in turn, could help deter shady behavior that occurs in the darker corner of the park near the trees.

"Bad people don't want to have people around," Jensen said. "Our problem with VanderYacht sometimes is underuse."

They also believe that the course will draw large numbers of people to downtown Ferndale when disc golf tournaments are held.

"It's a good chance we'll be able to get people into some of our stores downtown," said Dennis Rhodes, the city's Community Development director.

ATTEND THE MEETING

The Ferndale City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Monday, July 6, in Council Chambers at the City Hall Annex, 5694 Second Ave.