Pros:
Forest Park DGC gets the benefit of being in a nice park with a lot of mature trees to work with. There is also a swimming pool, playground, dog park, picnic shelters, and other activities on site.
All baskets are Innova Discatchers, and about half of the holes have had concrete tees installed. Every tee is marked by a post with a nice sign that includes the hole number, distance and a map that marks OB.
There are not many holes that are wide open. The placement of the tees and baskets do a nice job mixing the spacing between trees, and trying to coax different shots through the round. There is usually good space to allow a line to the basket, while trunks and branches still restrict options somewhat.
My favorite holes were probably 3 and 4. The lines are framed nicely by great old trees, with nice lines up the middle. 15 is also a nice anhyzer line, with open space to the left. I can't say there is a signature hole, or super memorable views, but the holes are varied enough to maintain interest at minimum.
A small pond is in play on hole 6 now, that isn't pictured in the first photos posted here. It is a short carry over the water if you play the right side. Holes 7 and 8 are next to the dog park, and play across the corners. A few red ladders are built in to climb the fence if you wind up on the wrong side. There is water on hole 10 to the left and behind the pin, and the basket is elevated, placed on a big tree stump. A lot of holes have roads along side them, that play OB, and add to the difficulty.
I was playing this course for the first time on Christmas day, 2018. My mom was with me, and playing her first round of disc golf. She witnessed an ace on hole 11. I used the right side to throw a big hyzer, and skipped it into the chains. Needless to say, I was pretty stoked.
Cons:
Almost totally flat, at least if you are on course. There is some elevation near the edges of the first few holes, but it was not utilized in the course design. I din't walk to the the top of the hill, but thought it might have made a good spot for a tee or basket to get some elevation change in on the course.
The holes near the dog park really do cut the corners of the fence line. If it is a crowded day, you may have to be careful to avoid throwing near people there.
The water may steal a disc if you get a bad bounce or lose control on 6. The fence to the left of hole 9 looked like it may be tougher to get over to retrieve a disc. I took penalty strokes on 9 and 10, going OB into the road and then into water.
A bit of backtracking and crossing roads as you make your way around the layout. Squeezing in 18 holes used all available spaces surrounding the park.
Other Thoughts:
Forest Park is a good place for disc golfing. The layout has some quirks, but also has some really nice holes. I think it's better than the nearby Kanza Park course, with the well established trees there to break up fairways. If you make the trip to Ottawa, both are worth playing.
There are bathrooms and trashcans, and the park was clean and well maintained. The finishing touches are being put on and the course is looking great.
Even with the hole in one on hole 11, I was one over par (55). I made birdies on holes 3 and 6. Bogies on holes 2, 8-10 and 12. Took OB penalties on 9 and 10. It was a fun round, and I would say the course is worth a try if you're near the area. Maybe work it in with the new course at nearby Big Bull Creek.