New course rumored in McHenry?!?!

[Tom McManus]

http://www.nwherald.com/columnists/columns/2009/08/20/r_hkbf15fot0wrifyzjv6jua/

An opinion in the Northwest Herald, one that is supporting the new course.

[Dan Michler]

People always give you exactly what you want if you come at them with a heavy dose of sarcasm...

[CEValkyrie]

A representative from McHenry who is working on this project called me yesterday. We discussed the issues that the neighbors have. Right now the project is in the air and i'm not sure what is going to happen.

[stangoo]

well hopefully they resolve all the issues and make the the residents and us disc golfers happy.  i guess we wait and see

[CEValkyrie]

I got a chance to look over the proposed course map. It's a whopping 4,300 feet  .

It appears thru the meeting minutes that Terry Miller of Lifetime Disc Sports helped with the design. I talked to Terry and he walked the land one time and had NO input with the design. I've made them aware of that and they should bring an expert back in to give a second opinion.

[cousin it]

 
Created: Wednesday, October 7, 2009 1:15 a.m. CDTFONT SIZE:Save Cold Springs Park
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ShareTo the Editor:

The city of McHenry appears bound and determined to proceed with a plan to put a disc golf course in Cold Springs Park. Precious taxpayer dollars are currently being wasted on engineering.
The issue is not disc golf. The issue is the land. More than 270 have signed a petition to save Cold Springs. Why is the city so anxious to pick a fight with so many citizens over this issue, particularly when there is no real need, with a 9-hole course at McHenry West, an 18-hole course a few minutes away at Lippold Park, and 23 others within 25 miles.
The mayor and city council have been provided graphic evidence of the environmental destruction that will result if this course is placed on this sensitive land.

There is a reason it is a delineated wetland and shown as a protected wetland on the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Web site.

Those trying to save the park hope that other city council members will join Aldermen Andrew Glab and Steven Murgatroyd in opposing this plan, which will destroy Cold Springs Park as a nature area, protected wetland, and groundwater regeneration resource.

SFlbIver Johnson

McHenry

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UFCreel wrote on October 7, 2009 8:02 a.m.

"Because local government does what it wants to. Just like State and Federal Government. They have money to spend and instead of giving it back to the tax payer they will spend it. So they wont listen they think they know whats best. Hence all the urban sprawl around here. Frisbee golf anyone?"
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UFCreel wrote on October 7, 2009 8:02 a.m.

"Because local government does what it wants to. Just like State and Federal Government. They have money to spend and instead of giving it back to the tax payer they will spend it. So they wont listen they think they know whats best. Hence all the urban sprawl around here. Frisbee golf anyone?"
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UFCreel wrote on October 7, 2009 8:03 a.m.

"OOp's"
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icyfire wrote on October 7, 2009 8:56 a.m.

"Need to vote this bunch out at the next election. Time to clean house."
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Scylla and Charybdis wrote on October 7, 2009 9:48 a.m.

"I love disc golf and cannot wait to play at the new course. Thank you McHenry for paying attention to all of your constituents and not just the vocal minority."
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60010.. wrote on October 7, 2009 10:23 a.m.

"icyfire, you're right! Time to get rid of all the McHenry County Good Old Boy republican office holders. "
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[fathergod]

  This part made me laugh out loud when I saw it..  "environmental destruction"

I'm sorry but there is ENOUGH protected land out there as it is!   Disc Golfers are generally well trained in how to conduct themselves while playing on a course.  It's the chuckers who don't actually care.  Also, if they actually looked at political voting on agendas by people in office, you will notice that most of the people who vote to protect "sensitive land" are liberals!  I'm not bashing either party but that republican comment needs to be addressed.

Just another group of uninformed blow-hards who most likely live close to the park

[can't putt]

Disc Golfers are generally well trained in how to conduct themselves while playing on a course.  It's the chuckers who don't actually care.

... uninformed blow-hards ...

ROFLMAO

[fathergod]

 So after having a rather heated discussion on the topic, it seems like only 500+ have concerns about the course.  500 out of over 20,000??   If the city doesn't change their mind or something happens in the near future, this is a done deal!   

[cousin it]

AND SO IT ENDS

Created: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 1:15 a.m. CDTUpdated: Tuesday, October 13, 2009 8:15 a.m. CDTFONT SIZE:Council votes down McHenry disc golf layout
By CRYSTAL LINDELL - clindell@nwherald.com
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ShareMcHENRY – An emotionally charged City Council unanimously voted Monday night to nix plans for a McHenry disc golf course.

Ward 7 Alderman Geri Condon, who represents the ward that includes the site and surrounding homes, almost was in tears as she addressed the crowd. She said opponents of the course had tried to intimidate her into voting against it.

"I have a 13-year-old son who I was afraid to leave home alone because people had threatened us," she said. "Over a disc golf course?"

The council cited unrelated financial reasons in its decision to pull support from the controversial project. City staff members had determined that the original $50,000 price tag for the parking lot needed to triple, which would have made the project too expensive.

The McHenry Kiwanis Club was working to partner with the city and various fundraisers to build the course at Cold Springs Park, in the Park Ridge Estates neighborhood near McHenry West High School.

However, many of the neighborhood's residents were against the project. They argued that the park should remain a wetland.

Ward 4 Alderman Steve Murgatroyd told the audience that he felt that some of the opponents' measures were extreme.

"There were [those] who used tactics that I thought were very disturbing," he said. "[But] I applaud those who did a good job of stating their points."

Jayne Bockman, who lives near the course, said she didn't know anything about the alleged threats.

"We have yet to see any proof of this," she said. "I felt that [comment] was directed at the group of us, which the majority, if not all, did not speak like that to Mrs. Condon."

Bockman cited a desire to preserve the wetlands in the park as well as traffic and safety concerns as her reasons for opposing it.

"I am not against disc golf; ... it is just not appropriate in this location," she said.

Murgatroyd said he wasn't against the concept, but he knew the price wasn't feasible. Condon agreed that the price tag had become too steep but said she would like to see something built in the park, such as a baseball field.

Nancy Wichhart, one of the nearby residents, was happy the council pulled support for the course because she wanted the wetlands preserved. She said she'd oppose any plans to alter the park.

"I don't think it's over yet," she said.

The jump in price for the parking lot, which was slated to be funded with city developer donations, was credited to the need to accommodate higher than originally expected volumes of traffic.

Assistant City Administrator Bill Hobson said that after studying the issue, staff members estimated between 250 and 400 people would use the park on a weekly basis.

However, that would have been too much traffic to route through a residential neighborhood, so staff members would have needed to change the proposed parking lot location.

Ward 6 Alderman Robert Peterson, a member of the Kiwanis Club, agreed that $150,000 would be too much for a parking lot, but didn't comment further during the meeting.

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kms wrote on October 13, 2009 6:20 a.m.

"People were very overzealous. I live in the subdivision. I think it was first a matter of disorganization. I had two people bother me at my home about it in a single hour and more people knocking on my door about 2 addition separate times. A few more times I just got found flyers, thank heaven I wasn't home. It's a game of frisby for pity sakes! Don't we want people to use county spaces? "
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pricklypear wrote on October 13, 2009 7:20 a.m.

"The city made the right decision but for the wrong reason. The issue is land use not the cost of a parking lot. Alderman Glab was the only one that understood the issue, namely that the city had commited to maintain that park as a nature area/wetland as part of the dedication. What was particularly pathetic was the Condon/Murgatroyd violin saga regarding all the abuse they had received. Nobody in that room last night or at any prior council meeting threatened or used any obscenities, yet they painted everybody with that accusation. "
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meg wrote on October 13, 2009 7:26 a.m.

"One of the commenters was quoted as saying, "I don't think it's over yet,". You can be sure of that. The ignorance (regarding future plans for the sight) of those who bought homes there is no excuse for their bad behavior or their feeble arguments. When that neighborhood was started over 10 years ago it was made quite clear that the sight would be developed, and it will be. It is only a matter of time. NIMBY's. "
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Majority Rules wrote on October 13, 2009 7:50 a.m.

"NO.....that's the mantra repeated all over this County. MEG is right.....just a bunch of NIMBYs that get their debate skills from the Republican party. Frisby golf......oooohhh, so scary! It won't be played at night or in the winter or inclement weather......!!!!!"
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newsbeat wrote on October 13, 2009 8:12 a.m.

"Meg's analysis is as faulty as her spelling. It is unfortunate that the disc golfers still don't get it. It is not about disc golf; it is about appropriate land use and about the City honoring its commitment to maintain the area delineated on the Plat as a Nature Area / Wetland as such. Alderman Glab hit it on the head. He was there when the negotiations occurred. The City made a commitment - people relied on it. Honor it. The City should adhere to the Character Counts credo it talks about so much."
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Snoopy wrote on October 13, 2009 8:15 a.m.

"You missed the point it was promised to the donator that it would remain as a wetlands. Why do you people want to ruin a great park that is home to many species of wildlife? What would you want in your neighborhood deer, chipmunks and rabbits or 50MPH flying discs. There are other parks in McHenry that are better suited for disc golf. I still smell the one business that supports this at work here. Sorry but you lost so start selling hiking boots "
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BubbleToes wrote on October 13, 2009 8:38 a.m.

"Sorry Majority Rules. I'm a liberal democrat and I'm glad this thing did not pass. Your comments show your ignorance about this issue. Save your political BS for other threads. "
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WRUTA wrote on October 13, 2009 8:38 a.m.

"meg wrote on October 13, 2009 7:26 a.m. "One of the commenters was quoted as saying, "I don't think it's over yet,". You can be sure of that. The ignorance (regarding future plans for the sight) of those who bought homes there is no excuse for their bad behavior or their feeble arguments. When that neighborhood was started over 10 years ago it was made quite clear that the sight would be developed, and it will be. It is only a matter of time. NIMBY's. " --- so meg, you don't give a hoot about perserving nature where we can? "
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WRUTA wrote on October 13, 2009 8:40 a.m.

"Hey meg and majority, can we build a disc golf park in your back yard? If you respond, just answer the question."
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Greenview wrote on October 13, 2009 8:45 a.m.

"Boo Hoo Hoo. Costs over runs give me a break the city has been sitting on this rotten egg for over a year and now the prposed parking is to small and this and that. Big thumbs up for Park Ridge Estates residents fight the good fight!"
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kms wrote on October 13, 2009 8:46 a.m.

"Are we going to outlaw frisby everywhere?"
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BubbleToes wrote on October 13, 2009 8:54 a.m.

"Phone calls and e-mails can be traced. Have the Police followed up on these so called threats? And what have they found? Face it Ald. Condon, you failed your constituents. You failed to let them know this park was going to be developed even after nearly two years of discussion. You blindly threw your support behind it without any input from the people it would impact most. And that PO'd a lot of people. "
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WRUTA wrote on October 13, 2009 8:58 a.m.

"Really kms? I live in the neighborhood too and signed one petition and recieved one flier. I just must not be as popular as you. I'm so sad. No one opposed to this location has said word one about being opposed to frisby golf. Just put it in a more realistic location, not in a beautiful area like Cold Springs. People wanting to protect what they were promised are not overzealous. They were vocal about what they wanted to save. Did anyone get a dead cat on their porch? I think not."
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BubbleToes wrote on October 13, 2009 9:01 a.m.

"The people you supposedly represent. You claim to always take input from your constituents and always return their calls. How were we supposed to provide you comments when we didn't even know what was being proposed? "
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newsbeat wrote on October 13, 2009 9:03 a.m.

"The comments made by Aldermen Condon and Murgatroyd last night about threats and the like were offensive to every resident in the room. Although they deflected a bit, they were really accusing that group of threatening and intimidating conduct. Nonsense! Nobody in that room or in any prior Council session engaged in any such behavior and if there is any evidence to the contrary, let's see it! If Condon was the target of any threat or intimidation, we condemn it unequivocally. But the accusation against those in that chamber was offensive and inexcusable."
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meg wrote on October 13, 2009 9:24 a.m.

"I didn't build a house adjacent to property that was slated to be developed into a city park. I also didn't agree that the disc golf was necessarily the best use of the property, and I shared that view with my alderman. My point is that it will be developed eventually, and I'll bet dollars to donuts that the NIMBYs will be out in full force again."
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[airspuds]

What is in that well water you all up there are drinking ?

[fathergod]

Anyone is support of wetlands are a bunch of fing idiots!   Lets have a place for the bunny rabbits and the birds to live...  Are you kidding me??   My father dealt with this problem for many years while on the county board.   Basically wetlands are created by liberals who want to use the land to block development ;permanently or because they don't think the land would be best used in that situation.  I happen to agree with him because look at all the wetlands you actually have.  How does it benefit anyone but nature and the people who support it.  It was going to be used as a fricking park for everyone!   Can you see some handicapped guy decide to go down the path to look at the pretty birdies?   The threats mentioned are not surprising either as my father received them also.  He could be in a store getting food and someone would come up to him and talk to him about the pending vote coming up.  If he stayed talking to them, they were nice but the minute he had to go to check out etc the treat would become included into the conversation.  Either, house egging or he will be voted out of office next election etc

[can't putt]

Um ... it is a fricking park for everyone.

"Don't it always seem to go
You don't know what you got 'til it's gone
They paved paradise
And they put up a parking lot."

[Sayer Jackson]

I love how they have this delusional idea that Disc Golf destroys nature.  Obviously they have never been to Western Michigan to play Disc Golf where the nature around the Ludington Courses and Flip City is breath taking.  These people have no idea what Disc Golf is about and it is really disheartening to see them condemn it before experiencing it.   

[jack]

The thing that smacks of hypocrisy is that the people who claim to be concerned with protecting the wetland are the same ones who bought and/or built houses that abut a wetland.

[tjdub26936]

Anyone is support of wetlands are a bunch of fing idiots!   Lets have a place for the bunny rabbits and the birds to live...  Are you kidding me??   My father dealt with this problem for many years while on the county board.   Basically wetlands are created by liberals who want to use the land to block development ;permanently or because they don't think the land would be best used in that situation.  I happen to agree with him because look at all the wetlands you actually have.  How does it benefit anyone but nature and the people who support it.  It was going to be used as a fricking park for everyone!   Can you see some handicapped guy decide to go down the path to look at the pretty birdies?

Thank goodness it's just THAT simple.  Stupid liberals . . . . . .

[can't putt]

The thing that smacks of hypocrisy is that the people who claim to be concerned with protecting the wetland are the same ones who bought and/or built houses that abut a wetland.

If you support national parks should you avoid property that abuts national parks?  If you support lakes, should you avoid lakefront property?  Would it be okay if they bought parcels that abutted parcels that abutted the wetland?  How far removed from the wetland must one build to be virtuous? 

[jasonc]

The thing that smacks of hypocrisy is that the people who claim to be concerned with protecting the wetland are the same ones who bought and/or built houses that abut a wetland.

hypocrisy while dealing with NIMBYs?  That would never happen in the greater chicagoland area.  

Can't we all just get along and sing cumbaya around a campfire?  It sounds like there is plenty of open space in McHenry

Maybe I'll be there to shake your hand
Maybe I'll be there to share the land
That they'll be givin' away
When we all live together
I'm talkin' 'bout together now  

[fathergod]

 Thank goodness it's just THAT simple.  Stupid liberals . . . . . .
[/quote]

Perhaps you outta check out your facts before you comment on what I said.

[can't putt]

Check out your facts?  You mean the fact that you are advocating a disc golf course which would be, in fact:
- installed by the government with taxpayer money
- maintained by the government with taxpayer money
- installed on land purchased by the government with taxpayer money
- "used as a fricking park for everyone!"

Can you BE more liberal socialist than that?