Archived Story

Disc golf club should pay fees

Published 9:42am Monday, September 10, 2012
Comments

I would like to say I wholeheartedly agree with Deanne Winegar’s assessment of the City Council’s back-room decisions and the conflict of interest and lack of correct information provided by the local newspaper.

Isn’t it interesting that if you own a dock and use public shoreline, there is a city ordinance governing this land use.

First, you must pay $100 or more for the use of a piece of public land which is 50 feet long by 10 to 15 feet wide. How much does the disc golf organization pay for the use of the public land of Bancroft Bay Park?

Second, in order to get a dock site, you must provide proof of insurance of at least $100,000 of liability coverage.  How much insurance coverage has the disc golf organization provided the city to use the Bancroft Bay Park area?

Third, a dock site is to be maintained by the dock owner. Bancroft Bay Park was purchased to create a low maintenance park to give us a glimpse of the way the Minnesota prairie used to be. How much is it going to be changed from its intended use?

Forth, on a dock site, any activity that disturbs the neighborhood, or fails to keep the area clean are prohibited, and most importantly you are not allowed to operate a business on this public land. Yet it seems like the keys to the public land of Bancroft Bay Park have been handed over to TeeBoxx LLC and the Flying Lea Disc Golf Club.

 

Gary Hagen

Albert Lea

Comments
  1. Winnie Goette September 10, 2012 at 1:48 pm <Link>

    I guess young people and people looking for something to do should just say goodbye to Albert Lea. Heaven forbid If you find a pass time to enjoy. Roll the darn side walks up at dusk and just sit in front of the boob tube. They isn’t much to do in this town as it is and you want to take more away.

  2. Ken Delano September 10, 2012 at 4:40 pm <Link>

    You would then have to charge EVERYONE that uses the park(s). Singling out the Disk Golf players is no difference than singling out those that just walk (or any other activity). I for one am glad that there is a FREE healthy outdoor activity in Albert Lea that can be enjoyed. I do not play the game, nor will I. But I am glad it is here.

  3. Patrick Cunningham September 11, 2012 at 1:10 am <Link>

    The County Commissioners tried the same sort of thing on the nature park near Twin Lakes, an idea to use it simultaneously as a National Guard training area. This type of thinking shows lack of any true concern for nature areas…people and money first, nature step aside.

    Whatever happens I’m sure it will be one more place for people to bring their i-phones as they pretend to be outdoors.

  4. Jeremy Corey-Gruenes September 11, 2012 at 6:58 pm <Link>

    Disc golf is about as minimal impact an activity as one could imagine for a use of public land. I honestly can’t understand the opposition to the proposed course expansion. I know that those committed to the sport locally are also committed to being good stewards of the park.