Fairfield Park

[jasonc]

Brett,

Can you clarify the rumors in regards to the possibility of concrete tee pads being installed as part of the current project?  As much as I would love to see concrete tees at Fairfield, I won't believe it until I see it.

[discpro99]

Any chance of re doing the whole course rather than just trying to patch it up around the path?

[philvb85]

Which holes were changed out there?  I think the last time I was there they had staked out the path's layout, that must have been 2 months ago.

[CEValkyrie]

I cannot gurantee anything. I have talked to the main man in charge several times over the last year and walked the course with him several weeks ago. We discussed the changes to #1, 8, 9, & 13. These are hopefully temporary. See below.

There is currently $5000 in the budget for the course with more to come next year.

I talked with him for at least and hour about things i'd like to do at the course. They are interested in improving the course. I need to schedule it but I convinced him to come out with me to Silver Lake to see what a course looks like with concrete tees and signs.  Once the path is completed he said we'd talk more about expansion across the creek. If I have my way the total course will be totally redesigned.

[smyith]

hole 1 teepad has been moved farther forward. old teepad still playable. hole 8 has been moved. interesting little shot tight fairway. Hole #9 tee has been moved farther left, new fairway. hole #14 has been moved forward and against the treeline to the left. the orange fencing marking out the path is marked out and in. changes the course alot. hole 13s basket is only 10'-15' away from it. so #8 is the only basket moved so far. 

[jasonc]

the new tee pads on 1, 8, 9, & 14 are a horrible mix of sand and crushed limestone. 

[CEValkyrie]

I am absolutely amazed I spent an hour of my time volunteering to help out there. The changes to 1, 8, 9, & 14 are supposed to be temporary. I am just amazed that I wasted 30 minutes discussing #8. It was supposed to be a short 150 to 175 shot down a  tight path. I specifically said do not cut anything outside the tight path. I walked the head guy down the path marking what to cut and not cut.  Now a tuck can drive thru there. Unreal! I can't believe they cut a path thru the woods from 13 to 14. Hoefully this will be a respectable course a year from now but this course just conintues to get worse.

[jasonc]

Maybe we are experiencing some growing pains during construction and they are planning to plant some trees to create a tighter fairway on #8?   

I thought the new 8 was going to be better than another easy deuce. 

[CEValkyrie]

Maybe we are experiencing some growing pains during construction and they are planning to plant some trees to create a tighter fairway on #8?   

I thought the new 8 was going to be better than another easy deuce. 

8 was supposed to be nothing more than a temporary filler hole. It would have played down the very tight path. It would have been a pretty tough 150-175ft hole.

I just can't believe they cut that large of path after I stressed do not cut more than a narrow walking path.

[jasonc]

should we enlist some tree huggers to stand guard on the remaining trees?   

[smyith]

i dont think #8 was too overdone. is it going to hurt your planned (hoped) redesigns?

[jasonc]

Ms. Smyith,

I sincerely apologize for making an attempt to have a little fun with the topic of course improvements at Fairfield.  Apparently, I missed the warning at the beginning of this thread in regards to your "No Jokes Allowed Policy".  I was also misled into this great game of disc golf under the assumption that the most fun wins.  Thank you for setting a good example for the entire disc golf community at large.  I'm not sure this game would be as much fun without a Debbie Downer like you.

I hope you are able to accept my apology.  I will make every attempt to keep my posts this thread as serious as possible from this point forward.   

[smyith]

...

[Chainmeister]

I have not been to Fairfield since the work began and the changes were made. I cannot comment on them. However, I can comment on the discourse. It seemed that all was going well and concerned playerrs were discussing the course with all the usual passion. However, the comment on the stupidity of the workers altered the course of the conversation.  that commentator had previously offered inciteful comments on the new holes  However, this is a pubic board.  Those same "stupid" people have access to the board.  Whenever, I am dealing with a municipal or governmental monolith there will always be beaurocrats and staff members who handle the day to day business.  The better I treat them the better treatment I will get from them.  There are many times when I am frustrated or otherwise pissed off.   If I vent my steam I feel better for a minute or two. However, I may have poisoned my relationship with that staff person and will have made a hard job harder.  There is no benefit in insulting them.

Policymakers, elected officials are by definition, idiots.  Its ok to say that [insert elected official here] is a sniveling [insert nasty label here].  Our great nation is made greater when we work to remove them from office.  Not long ago Brett reminded us that one of the lovely Lake County officials who was opposing disc golf was up for re election.  However, hired help, park workers, cops, clerks, etc...they can be your friends or enemies depending on how you treat them.  Regardless of their words or actions, they are never stupid.  They are always nice people doing their job. Whenever I am on a course and see somebody mowing the grass I always make a point to look at them and say, "Thanks."  If I said, "Hey Dumb@#^*" he/she would probably run over my bag.

[jasonc]

Dave,

I also work with various government offices on a daily basis for the past 8 years and I agree with you 100%.  While seeing most of our local municipalities struggle with budget issues, I am mildly surprised that our local courses have not been changed over to a Pay to Play system. 

The negative comments should not be posted publicly.  No good can come from that.  From my relatively short time (6-7 years or so) enjoying this great sport, I have certainly learned that some people are only looking to make this sport and the facilities better while others simply stand on the sidelines and whine about the perceived problems.  That energy can and should be used for positive contributions to the game.   

I will probably never be in a position to contribute a ton of hours or dollars to make a dent towards improving the game, but I will always focus on the positive aspects of disc golf. 

[CEValkyrie]

i dont think #8 was too overdone. is it going to hurt your planned (hoped) redesigns?

New #8 is a really dumb hole. It' not even worth talking about.

Had I known they were going to clear an entire new fairway I would have definitely looked at some different ideas. Total eliminating a hole and having a tunnel playing to #9 may have been a decent hole. There are a lot of options. Unfortunately what is done is done. The temporary fix is now something more permanent. If a redesign does happen that area has definitely been altered.

[smyith]

...

[smyith]

i dont think #8 was too overdone. is it going to hurt your planned (hoped) redesigns?

New #8 is a really dumb hole. It' not even worth talking about.

Had I known they were going to clear an entire new fairway I would have definitely looked at some different ideas. Total eliminating a hole and having a tunnel playing to #9 may have been a decent hole. There are a lot of options. Unfortunately what is done is done. The temporary fix is now something more permanent. If a redesign does happen that area has definitely been altered.

ya #8 has been a dumb hole for as long as i can remember. even back when it was that really short shot at the top of the hill. if they let you go across the creek, wouldn't you be able to make that tunnel shot work for #9? it would just need a lil more clearing out to make it work. how deep does the park go across the stream? i walked around over there the other day and there could be some stellar holes. is there any kind of town meeting for that? when i lived in the Twin Cities i had a chance to talk at length with the people at GGGT. i told them about our area and the struggles we've had and they told me how they over came those same struggles several years ago. essentially, any town meeting involving disc golf they have everyone in the local community show up (in their "sunday best") and then stand for the duration of the meeting about disc golf topic. they also take any small victory they can get. thats why there are so many 9, 12, and 15 hole courses up there. if they only manage to get approval for 12 holes then they go with it and after a few years try to push for it to be expanded. once again using the same forumla of getting the community to visual show support in front of the decision makers. if we filled a town hall with disc golfers all dressed nice (no1 drunk or high...it can wait a hour longer) i bet we could get some more advancements around here.

[jasonc]

i want you to point out to me what i have said to start any fights/arguments with you or anybody on here? i know there isn't any so don't bother using your precious free time time to fabricate some.
[/quote]

I would have done so, but you just edited your post about our friends that work for the Round Lake Park District. 
From my point of view, your comments about RLAPD were negative and unnecessary.  You obviously agreed when you went back to remove the negativity.  Thank you for proving my point.  I will consider this issue closed.  Have a nice day.

[smyith]

...