I've been trying to think of what to say about what is happening with Cold Brook Park's disc golf course. As many of you may know that in 2020, after 25 seasons of running leagues and tournaments at Cold Brook Park, I had mover my league and events out of Cold Brook Park because of issues I was having with the Park's Director. I also stopped doing any kind of maintenance and course improvements there as well. Since then, attendance at Cold Brook Park has noticeably gone down (even in a time when the sport is exploding!) and they are now considering shrinking the course down to 18 holes and pulling all the holes on the west side of the park road. So, holes 19-22 will be gone. They believe that they will rent the pavilion by the boat ramp more with the disc golf course no longer near that pavilion (even though those holes are closed on the weekends). They are also considering a complete course redesign. The Park's Director wants a "championship/destination" course there, but he does not seem to believe me that there isn't the land there to do that without taking over more of the park, which they will not do. They are getting the opinions of a few other course designers about the design.
I recently went out there to meet with the Park Manager about course improvements. We never really discussed improvements. That did not seem to be the reason I was asked to meet out there. I was questioned as to why attendance was down, about other groups that use the course and about the disc golf scene around town, and how people would react to shrinking the course down to 18 holes. I expressed that people did not like how the league was chased out of there. That people don't like paying to get in the park and never see any money put back into the course. That lack of regular maintenance (mowing, emptying trash cans, trimming, and dealing with fallen trees and limbs in a timely manner) is a huge problem. That the baskets, tees, signs, benches, … all need to be replaced. That erosion control is a big issue and retaining walls need to be replaced and new ones built or some other way to deal with erosion done. I expressed that the course design isn't the issue and that people enjoy the current layout. I also expressed that a new design could improve the course, but I don't believe that they will get their "championship" design or get anything that is that much better than what is currently there. My biggest concern in a redesign would be what would happen to the trees. Obviously, a lot of trees would have to be removed to do a new design and that remaining trees would die quicker if drives were now hitting them on their other side. I just don't really see much of a gain in a new design, especially when you remove the few open and water holes on the course. It would also mean a long walk during the winter to get to the disc golf course.
I do not know what their intent is other than I believe they have decided to pull 19-22 permanently. I don't know if they are going to do any improvements or not. So, I want to inform the disc golf community about what is going on and give you the chance to voice you opinion to the Park Board about the disc golf course at Cold Brook Park. I think they have the wrong attitude when they are shrinking a facility that has been extremely popular for years, that gets used everyday of the week, all year round because they want to make more money by renting a pavilion a handful more times a year.
If you would like to get involved or at least let the Park Board know your opinions of how things are at Cold Brook Park's Disc Golf Course and what you would like to see there, now is the time. The Park Board meets this Thursday (Dec 1st) at 3pm at the Fair Grounds in the Expo Center in room "B". The Fairgrounds are at: 2900 Lake St, Kalamazoo, MI 49048
There will be a chance for the public to comment at the meeting, but not ask questions. So, you can speak as to any issues you have with the course and the direction it has been going, but keep things respectful!
You can also write an email. I would send emails to the Park's Secretary but address it to the Park Board. Her email is:
[email protected]
