The Orion Online

Issue date: 11/19/08 Section: Online Exclusives

Nov. 19. 2008

A split City Council voted to ban disc golf in Upper Bidwell Park Tuesday night.

After hours of debate and public discussion, the council voted 4-3 in favor of not allowing the sport, sometimes called Frisbee golf, in the park. Trailhead access will still be allowed, but the council will look into restoration alternatives for the site.

The decision came after a presentation of the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan Update and Associated Park Improvement Projects, a follow-up to an Environmental Impact Report used to determine if a redesigned course is environmentally friendly.

The council moved to adopt a resolution certifying the report's findings, and moved to discuss the specific options within the updated plan dealing with disc golfing.

The council opened the discussion to the public before making a decision to either: accept an 18-hole long course plus an 18-hole short course, accept an 18-hole long course and a 12-hole short course, accept an 18-hole long course with a short course elsewhere, or restore the existing site and allow activities such as hiking, biking and nature study.

Many people, such as resident Chad Allen, were in favor of the first option. Allen, a physical education teacher at Chico Junior High School, said he wanted disc golf to continue in the park.

"I've pushed my sons in strollers along that course," he said.

Allen also argued that the cost of continuing to allow disc golfing -- a concern for the council -- could be passed on to the community.

"The community will step up," he said.

Others, such as senior Mark Herrera, thought a compromise that would allow disc golfing while minimizing the impact to the environment could work, he said.

"I'm here for disc golfing, and I'm here for the Earth," Herrera said. "I hope they can coexist."

Chico resident Kasey Merrill thought the environment should come first, she said.

Merrill compared the environment to raising a child and said people should not neglect it.

"Let us responsibly manage our legacy," she said.

After closing the public discussion, council members debated the issue themselves.

Council members Larry Wahl and Steve Bertagna -- who was serving his last night on the council -- opposed adopting a measure that would ban disc golfing in Upper Park.

Wahl argued that banning disc golf would be an act of discrimination. Other people who hike and do other activities aren't penalized, he said.

Council members Mary Flynn, Tom Nickell, Mayor Andy Holcombe and Vice Mayor Ann Schwab all supported the full restoration option to varying degrees.

Schwab was a strong proponent of environmental protection, while Holcombe supported restoration, even though he could see both sides of the argument. Nickell and Flynn were not as active in the debate, but declared they were in favor of the restoration option.

Council Member Scott Gruendl wanted to see a compromise on the issue, he said. He supported an option like the third one that would allow disc golfing and help the park.

When the council voted to ban disc golfing in Upper Park, many booed and spoke out.

Juanita Sumner got up to the podium and angrily chastised the council for its decision. Holcombe declared the meeting over and asked that Sumner be removed from the room.

Sumner asked an out-of-uniform police officer, "are you gonna arrest me for having a Frisbee in an unauthorized Frisbee zone?"

"No," the officer said.

Evan Burt can be reached at
eburt@theorion.com

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