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City of Lafayette • Department of Recreation and Facility Management • 111 W. Baseline Road • Lafayette, CO 80026 Phone [PHONE REDACTED] • Fax [PHONE REDACTED] • www.cityoflafayette.com/recreation Disc Golf Course Background May 2014 The proposed disc golf course at Waneka Lake Park came about through the PROST (Parks, Open Space and Trails) Master Plan process that was adopted by City Council in 2013. The previous disc golf course was installed in a cooperative effort between the City and Pioneer Elementary and located on the north side of both facilities. The course on the Recreation Center side was removed to allow for construction of the new skate park while the remaining holes at Pioneer Elementary fell into disrepair over time. Following removal of the baskets, there was discussion at multiple public input meetings during the PROST master planning process that highlighted the need for disc golf in Lafayette. The perimeter of Waneka Lake Park was proposed as a potential location to install a new course that the community at-large would value and enjoy. Pioneer Elementary was in full support of the relocation of their existing baskets as having people on school grounds during schools hours was problematic. Strategies of adding disc golf to Waneka Lake Park that would help meet goals established in the PROST Master Plan include: • Strategy 2.5.1 - recognizes the need for a better location than City Park for disc golf. • Strategy 2.5.2 - speaks to the need of addressing specific park improvements including adding disc golf to the Waneka Lake Park area in effort to make it the signature park in Lafayette. • Strategy 2.6.1 - notes that Waneka Lake is a “hidden gem” within the city that few are aware of. • Strategy 2.6.3 - recognizes the continued need to explore unique land use ideas that could aid economic development. Site plans involve accessing dedicated park land owned by the City that has not been designated as critical habitat per the PROST Master Plan. Greenlee Wildlife Preserve and Thomas Farm Open Space, areas identified as critical habitat at Waneka Lake, will not be disturbed by the proposed amenity. The perimeter land in the park offers a considerable challenge of obstacles that is appealing and valued among the disc golf community and seemingly difficult to find in other park land areas within Lafayette. There are no plans to access the irrigated turf and playground areas that are currently utilized in a high-volume manner. With the exception of twice- per-year mowing (as opposed to once-per-year as it is now), general maintenance of the property would effectively remain the same, not stretching an already-thin City resource. Other considerations when looking at Waneka Lake Park as a proposed site for disc golf: • Existing infrastructure – Allows the City to avoid the need to add parking and restroom facilities. • Existing social trail system – The existing informal trail system could be utilized to limit impact. It is expected new informal social trails may form over time, but using an established social trail system where possible would provide limited intrusion into the land and neighborhood. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Lafayette • Department of Recreation and Facility Management • 111 W. Baseline Road • Lafayette, CO 80026 Phone [PHONE REDACTED] • Fax [PHONE REDACTED] • www.cityoflafayette.com/recreation • Historical aspects – The proposed course would give the user a sense of Lafayette’s history as they past through open grassland, the seldom accessed historic Granary on the southeast part of the lake, and into the interesting “clinkers” (rough rock by-product from the former power plant located at the lake). All of this while surrounding the picturesque lake in near the heart of Lafayette. A public input meeting was posted by City staff and held March 17 on-site as interested stakeholders met to discuss mapping a potential course at Waneka Lake. With guidance from board members of the Mile High Disc Golf Club, staff established a course that takes advantage of the existing infrastructure and captures a quality disc golf experience while diminishing intrusive aspects. Design elements were made to mitigate errant throws. Additional efforts include changing alignment so that the direction of disc flight would be away from houses wherever possible, indicating areas that are Out of Bounds in order to discourage careless throws and well-marked signage informing users that trespassing is strictly prohibited. Consideration for general wind patterns, uphill vs. downhill throwing positions, and typical disc flight of beginner, intermediate and advanced players was used in determining the proposed layout. Every reasonable effort will be made to limit neighborhood impact meeting this PROST Master Plan goal established to provide a quality amenity for the community to value and enjoy. Additional considerations taken include tinting concrete tee pads to match the color of the existing trail. The traffic area around the baskets would have the same trail material in a 4’ diameter to again blend in with the surrounding. The 9 baskets from the previous course have been refurbished and are ready for install. Signage will play a critical roll in this plan. A general rules sign including necessary etiquette will be installed to emphasize respecting the natural environment, prohibiting trespassing, and yielding to pedestrians.. Each hole will also include a small map indicating specific rules for that hole left of trail is OB, private property boundaries, etc.). Local disc golfers and other interest groups have demonstrated an interest to provide volunteer labor and clean-up days to help beautify the park. Discussions are also in place with local businesses regarding sponsorship opportunities to further invigorate interest in this amenity. An informational letter was sent to neighboring residents of the park on April 25, advising them of the proposed course and requesting input through May 9. A web portal for comments has also been established on the City website where those interested can find a map of the proposed course and provide comment. Responses have been sent to those expressing concerns or suggestions to date. ---PAGE BREAK--- City of Lafayette • Department of Recreation and Facility Management • 111 W. Baseline Road • Lafayette, CO 80026 Phone [PHONE REDACTED] • Fax [PHONE REDACTED] • www.cityoflafayette.com/recreation TIMELINE • Mid-1990’s Initial disc golf course installed through grant from Frank Archuleta on City, Pioneer Elementary property • Summer 2010 Skate park constructed, baskets on City property removed • Fall 2012 Input sessions from community for master planning process • Spring 2013 PROST Master Plan approved • April 2013 Initial site visit at Waneka Lake with Rec/POG staff, John Goepel (Longmont Disc Club) • September 2013 Preliminary design walk with Rec/POG staff Pete Sherek (Course Designer – Dry Creek & Centennial Park, Longmont) • October 2013 Design review with POG/Rec staff on-site • January 2014 Remaining baskets removed and refurbished • February 7, 2014 Contract with Munding Design for Disc Golf Master Plan • March 3, 2014 Rec/POG staff and Munding Design meeting with Valmont Park (Boulder) staff • March 10, 2014 Rec/POG staff, Munding Design review site design • March17, 2014 Public Input Meeting, 18 in attendance on-site to provide comment on course location • March 24, 2014 Meeting with Ray Woodruff, Jeff Scott (Residents, members on- site to revise site plan • • April 4, 2014 On-site meeting with POG/Rec staff, Munding Design to discuss alternative locations • • April 7, 2014 Final walk-through with design team before proposed site plan is released to general public • • April 25, 2014 Letter and website with course proposed design released to general public with comments requested by May 9