TOWN OF MANCHESTER, CONNECTICUT
ADVISORY RECREATION & PARK COMMISSION
THURSDAY, JUNE 18, 2015
MINUTES
Meeting began at 6:05 p.m.
PRESENT: Chairman: Tom Tierney; Commissioners: Owen Carroll, Dennis Cumberbatch; Parks and
Recreation Staff: Scott Sprague
GUEST: Jeff Laterreur, Dave Mourad
COMMENTS:
No quorum at this evening’s meeting.
There will be an Advisory Recreation and Park Commission meeting in July 16, 2015.
MINUTES:
No quorum at this evening’s meeting.
COMMUNICATIONS:
None
RECREATION REPORT:
In the past month, there have been many requests from High School students and/or their parents to do
community service hours for graduation. This late in the year, there are few opportunities. However,
when plans are made in the fall, community service hours can be arranged in time for graduation.
FIELD SERVICES REPORT:
None
OLD BUSINESS:
Patrick Byrne of the Manchester Running Club reported the Spring Street Mile/Life Without Limits
raised $8,000 for Cerebral Palsy. One participant ran a 3 minute 55 second mile, which is the fastest in
Connecticut. Globe Hollow was the start/finish for the 5k. There was also a 1 mile run. The Manchester
Running Club expressed their thanks to the Town.
The middle field at Hillstown Road was renovated. This past year a group of 20 -30 adult men have been
using it on a regular basis without a permit during the week. They play when it rains or snows. They
don’t appear to care if they damage the field. They slide and dig up the field. They used to play on
Sunday; however the police went there three weekends in a row to prevent play. They would sneak back
once the police left. At the field entrance over the next few Sundays, a part time recreation supervisor
will be on duty and will be instructed to call the police if unauthorized play takes place. Signs at the field
entrance state a permit is required to use the fields. Cars have license plates from NY, PA, and NJ.
Notifications are put out on Facebook. Due to the field damage, they drew attention to themselves.
MINUTES
2
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NEW BUSINESS:
Jeff Laterreur and Dave Mourad are present to discuss a disc golf course for Center Springs Park. This
sport requires special Frisbees, which are 150 grams to 180 grams in weight. Discs have different lips,
rims and flatness. Players switch discs as needed to accommodate play. Courses can be 9 or 18 holes.
Players utilize the same techniques as golf. The legs/body is the lever. There is a suspended catching
devise. Holes can be par 3, 4 or 5. 200 feet, not 200 yards. It is fun to throw far, but players need to
“putt” well also. It is an athletic sport. A sample play video, shot at Wickham Park’s course, was shown
to those present this evening. A preliminary plot-out of a proposed 9 hole Center Springs Park course
was on display for those present this evening to view. There is a chance to expand the proposed course at
a later date. This is a good way to bring more activity to Center Springs Park. Wickham Park’s course is
a combination of open space and woods. Other parks are very wooded. Center Springs Park’s proposed
course featuring mature trees, manicured areas and changing elevation would be a different terrain than
surrounding area courses. To get started, baskets and tee boxes are needed. The tee boxes could be as
simple as a cement area or natural materials to start. Tee numbers could be painted on bricks. In the
future, leagues and tournaments could be held to raise money for improved tee boxes. Disc golf
continues to gain in popularity, especially with high school and college age youth. There would be no
need to cut trees, just limb and brush clean-up. Whatever maintenance already being done in the park is
all that would need to continue. Poison Ivy and undergrowth would need to be maintained. Disc golf
adapts to existing terrain, unlike traditional golf and no chemicals are needed. Disc golfers take care of
the courses they use. They make a game out of picking up garbage, make it fun. This would help Center
Springs Park, as trash is a problem in that park. Tolland just purchased more land to expand their course.
Disc golf is an inexpensive sport to get into. It costs about $15 for three discs and course play is free.
Participants are a broad range of ages. This sport appeals to those who don’t want to participate in a
traditional team sport. Clinics can be held for youths, such as scout troops. Center Springs Park has
plenty of parking to access holes. Per the course-plot display board, the signature hole for the course
would be #9, near the pond. Players can start at any hole to make a circuit. The course could be
expanded to 18 holes in the future. Baskets cost $350 to $450 depending on the manufacturer and the
number of baskets purchased at the same time. The course can accommodate a large number of players at
the same time. Wickham Park closes in the winter, but Center Springs Park does not, so play could
continue. It would take 45 minutes to an hour to play the course. Players can carry any number of discs
they want. There are special bags to carry the discs, which also store water and sometimes a small stool.
Some bags even have wheels. Discs can be rolled on the ground to get under branches. Hole #5 would be
550 feet and par 4. Par 3 is typical. There are very few par 5’s on these types of courses. Hole #9 would
be a downhill throw. The disc will soar and float. Beginners can throw and control for 100 feet, regular
players 250 feet, and advanced players 400+ feet. Disc golf and running courses go hand in hand. Disc
golfers will wait until walkers/runners are clear of the area. Pin positions can change to make longer or
shorter. The course plan is as safe as possible and has good sight lines. There are buffers to the street. It
was questioned about vandalism potential. There would be cement mounts and the tube would be filled
with cement also (Sonitube, like a mailbox). Baskets can be permanently installed or be removable.
Thick, galvanized steel with locking collars are recommended. They should be modified, so nothing can
be poured in. In the past, damage has been done by trees, but the course is still playable. The new
models catching shelf is deeper than the original versions had. Two concrete stones could be used to
mark the tee box. Some stones would need to be vertical for the tee numbers. Leagues and tournaments
can raise money for improved tee boxes. Course maps could be made. In order to get volume buying
prices, the Town of Manchester could coordinate purchases with Wickham Park. This type of course
brings attention and more people to the park. The JI, Courant and CT Now did articles. There is no
traditional advertising; all connections are made via social media. The internet has helped expand this
sport. They are really grass roots programs. Dedicated enthusiasts travel course to course. True disc
golfers will love the variety this proposed course provides. Parks staff and volunteers could install the
course.
MINUTES
3
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___________JUNE 18, 2015
This Commission needs to vote regarding whether to endorse spending the money and if there should be
permanent or removable installation. The three Commissioners present enthusiastically endorsed the
proposal. When there is a quorum, it shouldn’t be a problem obtaining the Commissions endorsement.
There is a request from MELT Fitness and the CT Sports Foundation to hold an outdoor relay benefit on
July 11th for a Manchester youth named Gavin. He is five years old and has high risk Leukemia. Gavin’s
grandfather is Commissioner Bill Woolridge. This is a South Windsor organization, but it benefits a
Manchester child. There is a request for usage fees for Center Springs Park to be waived. However, they
will reimburse the Town for direct costs. The actual event will be held in the meadow area of the park
from 8:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. There is a $1,000 pledge goal per team. Team members will workout and
then pass the next workout to another team member. All levels can participate.
Adjournment
Respectfully submitted on behalf of,
Bob Kilpatrick