Fairfield Park

[Dan Michler]

#1 will obviously be alot easier with that much distance taken off, but I still think it won't be that bad of a hole because of the fast green caused by the downward slope by the basket.  Maybe if we can move that basket back towards that slope a little bit it might be even tougher.

#8 I have no clue what the plan is there, seems like alot of rough to chop down.

#14 will probbaly be significantly easier with 25 feet chopped off.

#9 might actually be harder if its a true anhyzer hole.

#12/#18 look like they'll have possible Trail traffic to contend with.

[stpitner]

13 scares me a little bit... you can't see the basket when throwing, you probably won't be able to see the trail or any bikers near the basket or coming up the hill.  That could make quite the interesting hole.  Thankfully you're not chucking the disc as hard for that one.

[CEValkyrie]

I just talked to the RLPD about the changes. They want me to go mark where the holes should go. I just have to avoid the trail. I am going to go try to make the best holes possible.

[discpro99]

Do you think this will effect IOS at Fairfield this year?

[Jon Brakel]

Do you think this will effect IOS at Fairfield this year?

I know that Brett will do every thing in his power (that is legal) to make sure that the IOS event at Fairfield goes on without a hitch. Having said that there are some things out of our power and he is dealing with both the local park district and the county preserve so that makes it more complicated. Stay tuned...

[CEValkyrie]

The work will be completed by then and it should have no effect on this date.

[CEValkyrie]

All right disc golfers, I had a solid meeting with the Executive Director and the Supt. of Parks and Facilities. They are supportive of disc golf and want to see the course improved. See below.

Short term:

There will be 18 garbage cans added to the course this spring. They are going to stencil a hole # on each can and place it near a tee. Please help pick up garbage! He said it will be much easier for his workers to access the back of the park now by using the path.

They are going to bring 1 bench and put it on the course. They will see how it does out there. If it's treated properly they will add another next year. These benches are $300

The LCFPD is 90% complete with planning for the trail. They are finalizing some of the last plans. Work will begin in the next couple of months. Holes 1, 9, & 14 will be altered slightly. Hole #8 will be totally redesigned.

The RLAPD has a new program. DISContinuum has had a good relatoinship with the park district for a few years. We were recoginized with a plaque several years ago. They have started a new friends type program. I am going to get DISContinuum signed up with this program. He said this helps with the relationship with the park district board. See Below.

Long Term:

The Executive Director and Supt. of Parks and Rec said once the trail is complete there is a possibility of expansion across the creek. They are supportive of a redesign using that land. They realize the course would improve greatly with the use of the land across the creek. They did not 100% confirm but are supportive of the idea. They even looked at purchasing the property north of the park for expansion. It was for sale with a 3 million price tag. The RLAPD did not buy it and is no longer for sale.

They want members of DISContinuum to come to the board meeting in Jan 2010 and present a proposal for course improvements. This is when the board starts financial planning for the year. #1 on the list is money for tee pads. He wants to do concrete. Cost factors include a permit for the work, concrete, and labor. THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE! He plans to get quotes on tee pads. It will be up to the board to decide if they want to support in financially.

I mentioned pay to play but they do not have the staff to monitor for usage and don't want to staff.

They are very pleased so see the course get so much use and are even more excited to bring the young male demographic onto their property. This is one of the toughest demographics to reach.

My thoughts:

I am usually not very optomistic about this kind of thing. The Exec. Director wants to do this right and thinks it CAN happen. I actually felt pretty good after leaving the meeting. I gave them my vision. I believe this and stated this. "I believe with the use of the property across the creek and a total redesign of the course, Fairfield could be one of the best Chicagoland disc golf course."
Here is what I gave them.
1. Pull baskets.
Close course Spring 2010.
2. Reeseed and fix bare areas formed around tees.
3. Redesign of course.
Summer of 2010
4. Install long cement tees.
5. Install short cement tees.
6. Install tee signs.
7. Install all 36 anchors.
8. Install Gold baskets.
9. Install Silver baskets.

What are you going to do to help make this happen? Every time you drink a beer and throw it in the garbage can, you hurt the cause. Every time you smoke dope out there, you hurt the cause. Every time you walk by trash and do not pick it up, you hurt the cause. Every time you see someone out there screwing around, vandalizing, littering, etc.. and say nothing, you hurt the cause. Do not give park districts any more negative ammunition.

Only time will tell what will happen. I hope to have a great course within 2 miles of my house someday.

[CEValkyrie]

Adrian called today and said the garbage cans with #'s have been delivered.

[CEValkyrie]

Got out to Fairfield last night. There are many spots in rough shape.
This course should not be in the ground right now. It's taking a beating with all the play it's gotten over the last week.

#5's tee is pretty much not playable now. Huge ruts.

#7-Fairway is super muddy with some standing water. Around the basket is super muddy.

#8- Tee is super muddy.

#12/18-- Muddy crossing to the south of the swamp.

Tons of standing water between 14 & 15.

I did not get back to play 15,16,17.

[Jon Brakel]

I'm starting to think that area courses should close when the ground is saturated with water in order to save the course for better play when its dry.

[StrikerME02]

So are we hoping that Fairfield is going to be turned into a nice 36-hole course? Does anyone know if Adrian will be there tomorrow and what time?

[CEValkyrie]

So are we hoping that Fairfield is going to be turned into a nice 36-hole course? Does anyone know if Adrian will be there tomorrow and what time?

There is not enough room for 36 holes at Fairfield.  Adrian will not be at the park.

[discpro99]

Played here yesterday and when I got to 14a I didn't see a basket. Upon further investigation I noticed someone had ripped up the basket and drug it about 100 feet past the hole and tried hiding it under some shrubs. We drug it back to the hole and did our best at making it secure but its only temporary. I dont know if someone was trying to steal it or just being an asshole but its something we need to take care of before its gone for good.

[CEValkyrie]

Played here yesterday and when I got to 14a I didn't see a basket. Upon further investigation I noticed someone had ripped up the basket and drug it about 100 feet past the hole and tried hiding it under some shrubs. We drug it back to the hole and did our best at making it secure but its only temporary. I dont know if someone was trying to steal it or just being an asshole but its something we need to take care of before its gone for good.

Justin,

    What time did you play the hole? It was there and secure around 12:45pm yesterday.

     I will contact the park district about the issue.

Brett

[discpro99]

Right before dark about 8pm or so...

[discpro99]

And if you could mention the fallen tree around 14's basket too that would be sweet. Im sure you saw it if you were there wednesday morning. Good thing it missed the basket when it came down

[ChrisE]

I was there a few minutes ago, and 14A was in the ground over there it looked like now.  But it was so overgrown that we couldn't play it much. 

[discin311]

i lost a xcal on 11 and a dx roc on 14a my name and # r on them

[stangoo]

i love playing fairfield and hope the park gets the updates and expands to 36 holes. it would be a great course. it is a great place to play

[roman]

I got fed up with the tall grass on 14A (I couldn't even throw a putter on it anymore cause I'm not tall enough to clear the grass) so I went out and bought a machete today and went to town on that hole. It's now a nice clear straight shot again.