The Burlington Parks & Recreation Commission voted unanimously against proceeding with the original 18 hole disc golf course proposal for Leddy Park. This is great news for our park and the Commissioners deserve the gratitude of city residents for having the wisdom to reverse their earlier conceptul approval of this proposal.
The Commission also passed a motion with a 4 to 1 vote, indicating that they would consider a smaller 9 hole proposal from BTown Disc Golf Club if the club chose to submit one. The Commission was careful to say that they would not necessarily approve any 9 hole proposal but only that they would consider one. Commissioner Dave Harnett was alone in his vote against the motion to consider a scaled back course.
So the possibility of disc golf in Leddy Park remains, but the immediate threat of an 18 hole course is gone.
The Burlington Free Press had a fairly accurate account of the meeting. You can read online at http://www.burlingtonfreepress.com/article/20090520/NEWS02/90520003/1007/Disc+golf+course+rejected
It should be mentioned that both Wayne Gross, Director of Parks & Recreation, and Mayor Bob Kiss both recently wrote memos recommending that a disc golf course NOT be built in Leddy Park. Both memos can be found on LeddyPark.org if you want to read them:
http://www.leddypark.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/mayor_kiss_memo_no_disc_golf.pdf
http://www.leddypark.org/wp-content/uploads/documents/director_gross_memo_no_disc_golf.pdf
I have received several email messages since the meeting last night and a note from one LeddyPark.org supporter captures best what many involved in the effort to preserve the natural areas of the park, are feeling:
“After thinking about the results of the Parks and Rec Commission meeting tonight, it’s quite clear to me what many of you probably felt along – we had a steep uphill battle to educate and inform on this issue. Even though we must still remain vigilant, the immediate goal was accomplished, and with respect and integrity. It took every single supporter of LeddyPark.org, every single letter that was written, every single person who attended a meeting, every single photo that was taken, to acheive this outcome. Leddy Park is a valued, positive, and important part of all our lives. Everyone should feel really really good.”
We all know that if our city is to have a disc golf course it should not be built in Leddy Park. Not even 9 holes. Any new proposal for disc golf in the park will likely be met with the same resolve you all have demonstrated these last several months, for preservation and protection of the park woodlands. I will send updates on any new developments.
Thank you for all your efforts to preserve and protect Leddy Park.
Mark Barlow
