PROJECT
SPONSORSHIP
PACKET
Committee
Members: Derek Dobies, Kelli Hoover,
Eric Terrain, Jake Bacon, Chris Gancsos,
Scott TenBrink, Ben Ross, Jason Cassidy,
Casey Cook, Joel Coppernoll
Contact: Kathryn Snyder, Chair
Phone: 517-795-4671
E-Mail: [email protected]
Web: www.ellasharppark.com/disc-golf/
In Partnership With: Ella Sharp Park
Board of Trustees , Ella Sharp Park Golf
Course, The City of Jackson Parks &
Recreation Department, and the Lost
Disc Tribe.
Ella Sharp Park
DISC GOLF COURSE
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Mission
To increase tourism while providing the residents of Jackson and surrounding regions with an 18 hole disc golf
course within Ella Sharp Park.
Scope of Service
Ella Sharp Park is located within the City of Jackson and borders Summit Township. The park is open and
accessible to anyone interested in enjoying many of its attractions. Some of those attractions include: a
beautiful 18 hole golf course, a golf driving range, nine soccer fields, two baseball fields, miles of secluded
hiking trails, four tennis courts, and an 18 hole miniature (putt-putt) golf course. The park also houses Hurst
Planetarium, operated by Jackson Public Schools, and the Ella Sharp Museum of Art and History. Ella Sharp Park
also provides golf lessons and is a host to many attractive events like the Hot Air Jubilee.
With all of these attractions, it is easy to understand why Ella Sharp Park would make a wonderful home for a
disc golf course as it is a draw for not only the City of Jackson and Summit Township, but also for greater
Jackson County and the rest of the Michigan.
Community
Population
City of Jackson
33,534
Summit Township
21,534
Jackson County
160,248
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Project Description
The proposed project will be to design and construct an 18 hole disc golf course at Ella Sharp Park within the
City of Jackson. There will largely be three phases to the successful completion of this project: (1) design and
planning, (2) site clearing and preparation, (3) course installation.
The design and planning phase will largely be the responsibility of the Disc Golf Course Committee, working in
conjunction with the City of Jackson Parks and Recreation Department, the Ella Sharp Park Board of Trustees,
and the YMCA of Jackson. The course will be designed to best fit the standards of the Professional Disc Golf
Association, and each nine-hole course will aim to have three left curves, three right curves, and three straight
throws. A professional consultant may be utilized to assist in designing the course.
Below is a map laying out the boundaries of Ella Sharp Park within the City of Jackson.
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MAP #1 outlines the boundaries of the proposed project within Ella Sharp Park. Point A on MAP #1 identifies
the Ella Sharp Golf Course Clubhouse. Recently remodeled, the clubhouse includes updated restroom facilities,
rental rooms for parties, a concession area, golf shop, and a liquor license. This will be an appealing draw to
disc golfers on the nearby course which will also offer disc golf equipment for sale or rent.
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MAP #2 (as outlined in the magenta box in MAP #1) identifies some of the key features in the proposed
boundaries that make this area well suited for a disc golf course. These amenities could be incorporated into
this project on at a future date with further community support, or incorporated into the Ella Sharp Park
Master Plan. Some of the highlighted points on the map include:
Point A.
Ample parking. Currently a dirt lot, this area could be paved in future development to provide
for better parking for disc golf enthusiasts.
Point B.
Public bathrooms. Currently, there are a few portable restrooms on the premises. An
opportunity exists to restore a decommissioned bathroom building (pictured in appendix) at this
location to use.
Point C.
Large pavilion with picnic tables. There is a large pavilion filled with over 20 portable picnic
tables (pictured in appendix) that can be used for large family gatherings. This location can serve
as a good base for the start of the disc golf course.
Point D.
Decommissioned baseball diamond. There is a large decommissioned baseball diamond
(pictured in appendix) that could be used a “putting green” for practice near the start of the disc
golf course.
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Project Value
This project is important to our community for a variety of reasons. For the park system, the sport provides a
quality recreational opportunity and has the ability to attract new enthusiasts to the area. Jackson is known for
its great parks system, and a disc golf course only adds to that important legacy.
Disc golf is continuing to increase in popularity year after year (about 4-12% per year1), and appeals to a
predominately younger, often college aged or young professional, audience. According to the Professional Disc
Golf Association1, Michigan ranked third in nation in terms of active members, sixth in the nation in terms of
number of courses, and sixth in the nation in terms of associated disc golf events. Michigan is clearly leading
the way in terms of this emerging sport, and the Jackson community can continue to share in that success with
this project.
For players, the sport can be played at any age, provides a healthy outdoor activity, and is inexpensive. The
course will increase the recreational opportunities in the community while encouraging individuals to be active.
This particularly important given recent studies showing poor performance in healthy living standards in our
area:
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
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Jackson County is the 48th healthiest county out of 82 in the state2
Jackson County ranks 73 out of 82 counties in health behavior standards2
Michigan is the 37th healthiest state in the country3
Michigan is ranked 46th in obesity rates4
Michigan was named 5th fattest state in the county5
In 20 years, Michigan could have an obesity rate of 60 percent6
The project also has significant financial benefit to the City of Jackson and Ella Sharp Park: construction of a
disc golf course is inexpensive, maintenance costs are minimal, and the play is very low cost or free in the
majority of cases.
Furthermore, the sport attracts positive and dedicated disc golf players and disc golf clubs that bring a
beneficial element to the area. The players tend to take an active role in the course and the surrounding areas,
making sure the course is in good shape and well maintained. The course will also attract individuals from
surrounding cities in Michigan and can host disc golf tournaments.
1
2
3
4
5
6
http://www.pdga.com/files/documents/2012_Disc_Golf_and_PDGA_Demographics.pdf
http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/michigan/2013/jackson/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot/by-rank
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/database_see_the_healthiest_an.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2013/03/database_see_the_healthiest_an.html
http://www.mlive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/michigans_is_fifth_fattest_sta.html
http://www.mlive.com/health/index.ssf/2012/09/michigan_on_track_to_hit_almos.html
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Project Impact
This project would have a very positive impact by increasing the recreational opportunities available in
Jackson, and thus increases opportunities for healthier living within the Jackson community. Some additional
impacts of this project include:

Given the popularity of disc golf in Michigan, a local course close to downtown would create a local
market for disc golf equipment, accessories, and paraphernalia. Local small businesses that focus on
fitness (like P & T Fitness in downtown Jackson) could be a base for the disc golf niche market.

According to the Professional Disc Golf Association7, 20 to 39 year olds make up 59.7% of their
membership, and 75% have some sort of post-secondary schooling. Bringing a disc golf course to the
city could make the area more appealing to younger audience and make our parks system even more
attractive for younger, more educated families looking to relocate in the Jackson community.

According to the Professional Disc Golf Association1, 68% of disc golf members have a household income
over $40,000. By attracting this demographic of individuals with some degree of disposable income,
there could be a reciprocating impact in the local economy with local businesses.

Placed next to Sharp Park Academy and the Middle School at Parkside, the disc golf course could serve
as a home course for a number of schools teams, or after school clubs, and engage a younger audience
in maintaining physically active lifestyles.
Project Workload
The Disc Golf Course Committee in conjunction with the YMCA of Jackson, the City of Jackson Parks and
Recreation Department, and the Ella Sharp Park Board of Trustees are providing the necessary planning and
design work for the layout of the project’s course. Community volunteers and contractors will be used in the
clearing and preparation of the courses, and installation of the disc pole holes, tee pads, tee signs, and
message board.
7
http://www.pdga.com/files/documents/2012_Disc_Golf_and_PDGA_Demographics.pdf
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Project Budget
The following is a general summary of costs associated with the purchase, construction and installation of 18
Mach VTM Disc Pole HoleTM baskets, 36 Cement Tee Pads (2 pads per tee), 18 Tee Signs, a Message Board,
Benches, and Trash Cans. Note that figures may vary based on time of purchase and are estimates.
Furthermore, partnerships with businesses will be pursued to provide the necessary equipment (i.e. post-hole
diggers, etc.) for the completion of this project. Any additional funds raised will be held for ongoing disc golf
course maintenance and care.
PROJECT SUMMARY TOTALS
Design, Construction, Installation
$10,000.00
Total basket costs
$6,000.00
Total concrete pads costs (2 pads per tee)
$6,000.00
Total Tee sign costs
$5,000.00
Total Message Board, Benches & Trash Can Costs
$3,000.00
Total Fundraising Goal
Figure 1
$30,000
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 5
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Figure 4
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Figure 5
Project Continuation
Ways in which this project could gain future community support include, but are not limited to:

Encouraging a disc golf leagues with the YMCA and the City of Jackson Parks and Recreation
Department. League registration fees could be put towards course maintenance, and upgrades to
surrounding shelters, bathrooms and parking lots. Corporate sponsorships could also be included in
league play.

Encouraging annual disc golf tournament/invitational competition. Tournament registration could be
put towards course maintenance, and upgrades to surrounding shelters, bathrooms and parking lots.
Nonprofits, such as the YMCA whose goals are to youth development, healthy living, and social
responsibility, could also organize and promote tournaments as fundraisers. Corporate sponsorships
could be included in tournament play.
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Ella Sharp Park Disc
Golf Course
Sponsorship Application
Yes! We would like to support Ella Sharp Park's Disc Golf Course as a sponsor:
THE FOUNDER - $20,000 donation
PLATINUM SPONSOR - $5,000 donation
GOLD SPONSOR - $3,000 donation
SILVER SPONSOR - $1,500 donation
BRONZE SPONSOR - $500 donation
FOUNDING GOLFERS MEMBERSHIP - $150 donation
I'd like to volunteer!
DONOR/BUISNESS NAME:
CONTACT PERSON:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE:
E-MAIL:
Please complete this form with a check made payable to:
Ella Sharp Park
Attention: Disc Golf