The Outsiders Recreation Newsletter
 
Issue 19 May 2009
In This Issue
Events
Air Time
Money for Something
Don't Be A Drip
Bench Press
Games People Play
Short Stuff
Quick Links
As The World Turns 

This month the disc golf soap-opera continues.   Stay tuned so you don't miss anything.  In last month's episode the City Council voted to move the short course to a site they agreed wouldn't work, and also agreed not to fund it.

Then the Council voted to reconsider keeping the short course on highway 32.  They'll make that decision at this month's May 19th meeting.  

There's a good chance that if the council doesn't keep the beginner course where it is it will be lost.  Nobody is going to pay for environmental studies that might cost $10,000-$100,000 just to put in 6 disc golf holes.  And no appropriate sites have been identified.

If you want the short course to stay at highway 32 you should write a letter-to-the editor and attend-speak at the May 19th meeting. Some City Councilors seem to only listen to their campaign supporters.  They need to hear from the people.

ER - write a letter
CNR - write a letter
CSU Orion - write a letter
meeting May 19th, 7PM 421 Main Street

Lon Glazner
President, Chico Outsiders
lon@chico-outsiders.com 
 
Upcoming Events
 
Star Power May 9th 10AM - We've organized an expedition to remove yellow star thistle from the Sherwood Forest kids' disc golf course. Please join us at the course pulling the little buggers.  Gloves are needed.

It only takes a couple of hours to make a sizable dent in this weed's population.  Get off your hiney and lend a hand.  If we get rained out we'll post a cancellation notice on the Chico Outsiders web site.

CARD Community Campout - June 13th 4PM  - The Outsiders will be leading a night hike to the Kiwanis Chico Community Observatory during this CARD event.  We will also provide instruction and loaner discs to campers that want to play the Sherwood Forest disc golf course.

This is a great family event where you camp at Hooker Oak Recreation Area for the night.  Learn more about the community campout here. 
               
 
Air Time

We expect the fundraising discs to be in tomorrow.  There is a mixture of putters, mid-ranges, and some drivers.  66 of the 100 have been reserved. If you've pre-paid discs will be set aside for you.  Reserved discs that haven't been paid for will be held for two weeks. 

There are a variety of weights and styles of discs. They will go out first-come first-served, unless you specified a type when you reserved your disc.
  
We are selling the custom discs for $20 / each.  See the custom disc stamp here.   The discs are Innova brand discs.  If you would like to reserve a disc send us an email (info@chico-outsiders.com).

The disc proceeds are being used to fund the startup of the 501(c)(3) corporation that will build the Upper Park Site. 
 
Money For Something 
While we are setting up our 501(c)(3) you can still make a tax exempt donation to support disc golf in Chico.  Small or large donations can be made via the Golden Valley Bank Community Foundation.  These funds will be used to purchase disc golf equipment as approved by the Foundation.

Follow this link to make a donation that is tax exempt.  Any amount you can spare is appreciated. 
 
 
Don't Be A Drip 
There are wet weather closures of the highway 32 disc golf site in effect.  The policy in place is that when Upper Park trails are closed to mountain biking and horses, the disc site is closed as well. This typically means that the courses are closed when it is raining, and for several days afterwards.

There is a link at www.chico-outsiders.com to the city web page that shows trail status.

We encourage people not to play when the trails are closed.  Playing during closures reflects poorly on the disc golf community and damages our ability to ensure this recreation remains available to Chicoans. 
  
 
 
Bench Press 
There have been noticeable changes at the highway 32 disc golf site since last weekend. The city placed temporary information kiosks at the site to better inform people about what's going on.
 
There should be places on the kiosks for lost-and-found and club notices.  The Outsiders also intend to begin posting information there.

In addition, City workers will be/are removing all benches at the request of the Park Commission.  When the long course is developed new benches will be placed as the site is built.

The park department is asking that people not place new benches at the site during this interim period.  They have also requested that people follow the rules that include...

no alcohol or glass containers
no smoking through October
keep your dogs on the leash
don't play during trail closures
 
Games People Play 
KZFR radio had the following exchange with City Councilor Andy Holcombe after the April City Council meeting.  People should be aware that further attempts to remove all disc golf from highway 32 may occur. 
  
Mark Alpert:
Councilman Andy Holcolmbe said the issue is far from being decided and that plenty of hurdles remain regardless of how things shake out.

Andy Holcombe:
"There already is an approved and valid EIR that spells out mitigations that have to be implemented to the extent disc golf whether long course or long course and short course, there are mitigations required by law to be done. Those also are not funded, but it does raise the interesting question that if those now legally required mitigations aren't implemented in a timely manner, whatever that means, then I think that there would be a valid legal argument to be made that the course needs to be shut down until when and if those needed mitigations as defined by the EIR are implemented."

Mark Alpert:
Holcombe also said that among the mitigations required by the EIR for the Hwy. 32 site is a formal trailhead with an official parking lot. Something Holcolmbe said he's reluctant to spend scarce resources for recreation on.
 
 
 
Short Stuff 
At its April meeting the City Council considered all of the options the Park Commission provided for a new beginner disc golf course site.

14 sites were reviewed and none of the 5 sites suggested by the Outsiders received any serious consideration.

Of the four sites the Park Commission selected...
Hooker Oak - was only 3 acres in size and was leased to someone other than the City of Chico.
The Airport - is zoned for industrial use
The Tree Farm -  didn't even belong to the city

And that left the fourth and final site, Caper Acres, that can hold 6 targets and is surrounded by heavily used paths and a playground.  The city approved this last site, but then decided not to fund any environmental studies.  That means nothing could be placed there.  You can learn more about this meeting here.

If the lack of funding holds then improvements will never happen at this site. Which means that the short course will never be relocated like the City Council promised on January 6th.

On May 19th the City Council is meeting and may allow the short course to remain at highway 32, or come to some other decision on where it might be located.
 
  
 
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This email was sent to lon@solutions-cubed.com by info@chico-outsiders.com.
The Outsiders | In the free open air | Chico | CA | 95928