Guilford Approves New 18-Hole Disc Golf Course

GUILFORD, CT – The Planning and Zoning Commission, by a 4-2 vote, approved the construction an opening of an 18-hole disc golf course at the 30-acre Peddlers Park property at its most recent commission meeting.

The disc golf course was approved after a lengthy public hearing at which concerns were raised about the safety and environmental damage the course could bring.

But commissioners were swayed by town officials presentation of the benefits of the project.

Parks and Recreation Director Rick Maynard said the disc golf course would be a “great addition to the park.” He said it will be minimally invasive and self-maintained.

He said overall it would pose very little cost to the town as it will be privately funded by sponsors and donors.

The plan entails expanding the current parking lot to 20 cars and some small trees will have to removed for expansion. Eagle Scouts will be building an information Kiosk and tee boxes for the course.

Craig Smollen, of Trumbull, an avid disc golf player, donated his time to design the course. He said he initially looked at Bittner Park for the course but decided Peddlers Park was the better fit due to terrain and location.

Smollen said the course has been designed to stay out of wetlands areas and that the plan includes taking down trees that are 8 inches in diameter in the fairways. Asked by the commissioners the average length of a fairway, Smollen said 100 to 300 feet.

Smollen was asked by the commission if a nine-hole course could be built but he replied that 18 holes is preferable to the average player.

Davi Grigsby, president of the Guilford Land Conservation Trust, submitted a letter in objection to the disc golf course.

He said the conservation trust “is concerned with the safety and overall impact a disc golf course may have on the thousands of hikers and mountain bikers who use these trails to access and enjoy Westwoods year-round.”

His letter continues: “As we understand matters, the discs used in disc golf are specialized, of smaller diameter, sharper edge and made of denser materials than the frisbees one might see tossed around the Green. A cursory internet search quickly brings up examples of hikers or walkers injured, in some cases quite seriously, by errant disc shots,” Grigsby letter said.

The commission heard from nine other residents who were opposed to the course; three other residents who were in favor.