A brief history of disc golf
in San Francisco
1997 A 24-hole disc golf
course is proposed for McLaren Park. At Rec/Park public forums,
community members express fierce opposition, causing the SF Disc
Golf Club (SFDGC) to withdraw its proposal.
2002 Rec/Park approves SFDGC’s
request for the construction of a 12-hole temporary trial course at
Golden Gate Park –the course is built and usage by players begins
2005 After reviewing GG
gardeners’ and naturalists’ concerns of environmental damage caused
by the sport, the Rec/Park Comm. approves the permanent upgrading of
the GG 12-hole course to an 18-hole course and, to the disc golfer’s
surprise, grants a bonus 18-hole course for McLaren Park. This
decision was not agendized prior to the meeting, nor was there
notification of McLaren neighbors.
2010 In March, with a few
posted fliers, Rec/Park finally notified the McLaren community of its
plans to begin construction of a disc golf course that summer. In
response, neighbors formed the group, Save McLaren Park (SMP) and
hundreds of concerned angry citizens packed a Rec/Park informational
meeting. Later in the year, respected environmental groups such as
the Sierra Club, SF Tomorrow, and the California Native Plant
Society join our cause as well as many community business and social
groups. SMP’s analysis of government documents produces a timeline
that convinces Rec/Park Open Space Advisory Comm. (PROSAC) to call for
a proper public hearing on the issue. Later, in that same June
meeting, Pres. Buell admits the missteps of Rec/Park and calls for a
public hearing.
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