At the previous Portsmouth Town Council meeting individuals proposed an 18-hole disc golf course at Glen Park. Residents expressed strong opposition to the commercialization of Glen Park and how a golf course would negatively affect this open space. A Google search shows that a typical course requires 18 concrete embedded golf baskets that are approximately 4 feet high spread over 20-25 acres of land.
A council member questioned whether the town had thoroughly vetted the project because the presentation lacked credible information like funding sources, construction costs, number of players, number of leagues, schedule of potential tournaments, course maintenance, etc. Overall, the meeting underscored the community’s commitment to preserving public parks and open space.
We should not be approving a private enterprise that supports a small minority at the expense of hikers, dog walkers, strollers and our youth playing sports at Glen Park. We should not be using taxpayer funds to build, maintain and operate a disc golf course on town owned property.
Ensure that your voice shapes the future of Portsmouth’s public spaces. The next town council meeting is Monday, Sept. 8. If you are unable to attend, contact the town councilors to express your concerns: towncouncil@portsmouthri.gov.
Nancy Howard
Portsmouth
