The proposal to bring a disc golf course to Halfmoon Bay has missed its target, as the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) turned down the plan for now.
At the June 17 planning and community development committee meeting, directors voted to decline moving forward with the Sunshine Coast Disc Golf Association’s (SCDGA) pitch to add an 18-hole course to Welcome Woods Wilderness Area in Halfmoon Bay and the adjacent Connor Park. Future consideration will be deferred to a comprehensive management planning process for those parks.
It came down to concerns from public consultations that included competing uses of the parks. While both areas are SCRD parks, Welcome Woods has a covenant that the park be maintained as a wilderness area with hiking trails.
Halfmoon Bay director Lori Pratt said, “I understand from when the original proposal was put in by the disc golf association that they were unaware of the covenant... There’s still a lot of work to be done on this, and a lot more community conversation because there’s some competing interests in this area.
“Disc golf would be fantastic in this area, though,” she said, adding that it would be neat to see a project go forward with a low-cost inclusive activity for families.
The staff report listed potential conflict between mountain bikers, people with mobility issues and those with dogs.
Elphinstone director Donna McMahon said, “It’s a sad, sad day when I have to vote against frisbees, but I do support staff’s recommendation because we can’t have little old dog walkers being whacked in the head with discs either.”
Other concerns coming out of public consultation included ecological impacts, existing park issues and the lack of a comprehensive park plan for Welcome Woods and Connor Park.
“Additional trail or disc golf course development will also require a professional review for archaeological and cultural sensitivities that may exist in the area,” the staff report states. “At this point there is some information available, but no comprehensive mapping of ecologically significant or culturally sensitive areas within either Connor Park or Welcome Woods Parks.”
During site analysis, several unaddressed issues in the parks were identified including unauthorized trail building and required trail repairs. The staff report said, “Prior to any additions to the park amenities, a plan for dealing with outstanding issues should be prepared.”
A letter from the SCRD board will be sent to the SCDGA about the decision. Rebecca Porte, parks planning coordinator, said staff have been engaging with SCDGA and are working on an agreement with the group to formalize and enhance stewardship of the existing Shirley Macey disc golf course in Area F.
