To: Santa Cruz County Parks Commissioners
Save Anna Jean Park's open space from Disc Golf
Disc Golf at Anna Jean Cummings Park is a Bad Idea!
We welcome activities that get people out to enjoy this unique open space. However, two primary reasons make disc golf a bad fit.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: Disc golf causes accelerated erosion, trampling of undergrowth, and damage to tree trunks by discs flying at high speeds. Habitat degradation at disc golf courses is significant.
SAFETY: Disc golf is like regular golf: fast moving projectiles traveling 50-80 mph, with documented injuries to people, pets and wildlife.
Anna Jean Cummings Park is a well-planned, popular park that provides a wide range of activities (active sports fields, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, walking and hiking trails). Disc golf is incompatible with the current park uses. We the undersigned adamantly oppose the installation of a disc golf course at AJC Park.
We welcome activities that get people out to enjoy this unique open space. However, two primary reasons make disc golf a bad fit.
ENVIRONMENTAL DAMAGE: Disc golf causes accelerated erosion, trampling of undergrowth, and damage to tree trunks by discs flying at high speeds. Habitat degradation at disc golf courses is significant.
SAFETY: Disc golf is like regular golf: fast moving projectiles traveling 50-80 mph, with documented injuries to people, pets and wildlife.
Anna Jean Cummings Park is a well-planned, popular park that provides a wide range of activities (active sports fields, playgrounds, picnic pavilions, walking and hiking trails). Disc golf is incompatible with the current park uses. We the undersigned adamantly oppose the installation of a disc golf course at AJC Park.
Why is this important?
Disc golf is incompatible with current use of the open space trails at "Blue Ball Park"---it would pose a safety hazard to walkers and runners, and would cause severe damage to a fragile ecosystem that is recovering from its years as a dairy ranch.