Refshauge Park reviews
5
0
888HUSKERS
Experience:
53.5 years
19 played
19 reviews
Course Design Gone Wrong - Possibility of Hitting Park Visitors 2+ years drive by
Reviewed:
Played on:Jan 16, 2012
Played the course:once
Pros:
Innova Mini Disc Catchers - This is a plus but these are just minis which were not ment to be permanently installed in concrete which is what they did because they were too cheap to buy the full size catchers which are ment to be installed in the ground. I only put this as a positive because in their current condition they are like new which is better than I can say for some DGCs which have been heavily vandalized.
Cons:
Were do I begin ...
The disc catchers were not manufactured to be permanent standing structures which would withstand the punishment they will receive from vandals or people who pull or lean on them accidentally. Because they have a small and simple wire base which was set in shallow concrete these catchers over time will fall over, be stolen, or destroyed as the concrete cracks or someone realizes they could be easily pulled out of the ground.
The teepads are a joke, they are more of a tripping hazard then they are for use. Even at a stand still some people would find it hard to remain on the pad or stand on them for a respectable drive. This was another example of poor planning and people looking more at the cost of installing the course than looking at making something that is functional.
The teepads are also right on top of the baskets which again was poor planning on the part of the course designer. If this course was more frequented it would cause people to be backed up while they were waiting for people to finish up teeing off before they could even begin the previous hole.
Some of the shots put you in bad positions where you are throwing over or way to near to playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and the skate park were people would be during warmer weather. This poor layout and complete lack of consideration will result in someone, possibly a child getting hit by a disc eventually.
Parking for this course is somewhat convenient while the course is not in use during colder weather but during warmer weather which is when it will be used more it is lacking because most people parking in the parking lot would be using the skate park located immediately next to the parking lot or the playground which is opposite of the skate park.
There are bathrooms which are more than can be said for other DGCs but it is closed most of the year so it can't be counted as a positive. If you need a bathroom there is a gas station across the street which is open all year round.
Some of the teepads are pointed the wrong direction at certain holes and in some cases are even directly pointed at another catcher altogether. I was really disappointed by this because it did result in a somewhat confusing expereince which ruined the game for my wife whom I took to what I thought would be a fun beginner course.
The disc catchers were not manufactured to be permanent standing structures which would withstand the punishment they will receive from vandals or people who pull or lean on them accidentally. Because they have a small and simple wire base which was set in shallow concrete these catchers over time will fall over, be stolen, or destroyed as the concrete cracks or someone realizes they could be easily pulled out of the ground.
The teepads are a joke, they are more of a tripping hazard then they are for use. Even at a stand still some people would find it hard to remain on the pad or stand on them for a respectable drive. This was another example of poor planning and people looking more at the cost of installing the course than looking at making something that is functional.
The teepads are also right on top of the baskets which again was poor planning on the part of the course designer. If this course was more frequented it would cause people to be backed up while they were waiting for people to finish up teeing off before they could even begin the previous hole.
Some of the shots put you in bad positions where you are throwing over or way to near to playground equipment, a picnic shelter, and the skate park were people would be during warmer weather. This poor layout and complete lack of consideration will result in someone, possibly a child getting hit by a disc eventually.
Parking for this course is somewhat convenient while the course is not in use during colder weather but during warmer weather which is when it will be used more it is lacking because most people parking in the parking lot would be using the skate park located immediately next to the parking lot or the playground which is opposite of the skate park.
There are bathrooms which are more than can be said for other DGCs but it is closed most of the year so it can't be counted as a positive. If you need a bathroom there is a gas station across the street which is open all year round.
Some of the teepads are pointed the wrong direction at certain holes and in some cases are even directly pointed at another catcher altogether. I was really disappointed by this because it did result in a somewhat confusing expereince which ruined the game for my wife whom I took to what I thought would be a fun beginner course.
Other Thoughts:
This course is a perfect example of what NOT to do that should be documented for other cities, towns, or state parks who are looking at installing a DGC. This park has a lot of potential for what could be a good beginner course to teach people the game of DGC or have a casual family game of disc golf but it has gone terribly wrong due to poor planning, going cheap on equipment, and a lack of a consultation with someone who plays disc golf and is a course designer. If they did consult with someone on designing this course either they did not heed the advice they were given or the person was not experienced enough at designing disc golf courses.
The City of Aurora would do well to remove this current course and start over with some help from a course designer who has experience in course design in small parks like the one it is currently located at. They might even do well to remove this current one and relocate it to the larger Streeter park which is located on Highway 34 - Q Street. This seems like a more logical location for a disc golf course.
The only saving grace for this park which kept me from assigning it a 0 was the fact that it is functional while no one else is using the park. While there are other people there using the playground or picnic shelter there is way to much of a risk of throwing a drive right at someone which would result in a bad name for disc golfers in general. I will be avoiding this course except to show someone how sometimes even the course designers can be a worse enemy to disc golf than vandals.
I struggle to think of a more poorly designed course than this one in central Nebraska. The one that was placed at Plum Creek in Lexington is up there but this one takes the crown of course design and park selection gone wrong.
The City of Aurora would do well to remove this current course and start over with some help from a course designer who has experience in course design in small parks like the one it is currently located at. They might even do well to remove this current one and relocate it to the larger Streeter park which is located on Highway 34 - Q Street. This seems like a more logical location for a disc golf course.
The only saving grace for this park which kept me from assigning it a 0 was the fact that it is functional while no one else is using the park. While there are other people there using the playground or picnic shelter there is way to much of a risk of throwing a drive right at someone which would result in a bad name for disc golfers in general. I will be avoiding this course except to show someone how sometimes even the course designers can be a worse enemy to disc golf than vandals.
I struggle to think of a more poorly designed course than this one in central Nebraska. The one that was placed at Plum Creek in Lexington is up there but this one takes the crown of course design and park selection gone wrong.
