Council OKs $1 Fee for Disc Golf Players

Disc golf aficionados at Huntington Central Park will soon have to pay a $1 fee to play under a test program approved by the City Council.

The sport, in which players try to throw Frisbee-type discs into baskets around a course, is one of the most popular activities at the city park, Community Services Director Ron Hagan said.

But maintaining the course costs the city about $35,000 a year, he said, and it doesn’t have any bathrooms or even water fountains nearby.

Hyzer Sports of Long Beach proposed collecting $1 from each player 18 or older. The city will get from 10% to 20% of the proceeds. In exchange, the concessionaire will sell refreshments, set up a portable toilet, maintain the field, vary the course to keep it interesting and have marshals supervising the players.

“We get feedback from parents. Some older kids and adults have intimidated little kids,” Hagan said. In addition, some players drink beer or leave trash on the field.

“There just isn’t any money to supervise it and add the amenities,” Hagan said.

He emphasized that the park would remain open for anyone else to use free, including joggers and sunbathers, and that no permanent structures would be built.

Some residents expressed concern, though, that a precedent is being set. Community Services Commissioner Janet Biddle wrote to the City Council saying, “It is wrong to prostitute out such a large portion of the park for what appears to be a very, very small return.”

The 90-day trial is planned for May through July. If nothing else, Hagan said, the city will have Hyzer Sports maintaining that area of the park for the summer and find out just how many people play disc golf at the park.