Friends of Odell Park meet to fight disc golf expansion

A newly formed group of Fredericton residents opposed to the expansion of Frisbee golf in Odell Park held its first meeting on Thursday night to discuss how to stop the project.

The city is cutting down several trees in the south side park to turn the existing nine-hole disc golf course into a full 18 holes.

Members of the group, called Friends of Odell Park, contend the development is destroying the park.

"I want to see this as a natural growth forest," said Sheila Andrew, who was among those who gathered at the park's lodge to fight back.

"It is so impressive to have trees as old as some of those big ones there," she said.

Julf Schwenke is worried about the crowds the expanded course might attract.

"When there are more and more people coming here, throwing their discs around, it's going to be chaos."

City Coun. Greg Ericson says there has already been a great deal of development in the park and the golf course expansion isn't any different.

"Recreation facilities have been developed all over Odell Park. We've had stables and horse barns and riding circles," he said.

The disc golf course was built a couple of years ago and the expansion was approved in the city's 2015 budget.

Danielle Duplisea welcomes decision. She goes to the park every day to play disc golf.

"It's definitely like my zen, or my happy place," she said.

Duplisea says she has noticed an increase in the number of players showing up and thinks having more holes makes sense.

"I think it's a good idea given the growing popularity of the sport. Disc golf is one of the fastest growing sports in North America and worldwide," she said.

The expansion is already well underway, with many trees already cut down.

The Friends of Odell Park are still trying to figure out how to proceed.