The disc golf course in Clarks Grove is preparing for its second summer of action, and while the course is still young, one city worker hopes it can grow into a more complete course and park for Clarks Grove residents and people from the surrounding area.

“They’ve responded well to it,” said Lance Loverink of Clarks Grove Public Works. “We planted a wide variety of colorful trees out there that are supposed to come into peak colors different times of the year. Rather than that being just an open vacant lot, people are really enjoying the future hope of some shade trees and some color in the park and some activities.”

Loverink said he’s seen many families play the free course, and he hopes people preparing for tournaments on Albert Lea and Austin’s disc golf courses will come to Clarks Grove for practice.

“It’s very simple. It’s a simple course,” Loverink said. “It’s good for beginners, families and practice until our trees develop. Once our trees develop it will be more challenging.”

Loverink said as the trees grow, people will need to use more strategy while playing the course. The trees were planted to be in peak color at different times of the year. Adding more trees and vegetation to make the course more challenging is something Loverink said he’d like to do in the future. Loverink said they could possibly add a parking lot, park benches and possibly a grill if the funding ever became available.

“I would say it adds a healthy aspect to Clarks Grove,” Loverink said. “You have to walk for the course. The course is built to circle you back to the starting point, so you get some good exercise.”

Loverink said people wanting to use the disc golf course should know the course begins just to the west of First Baptist Church, and there is parking available. The course is just south of First Baptist Church in Clarks Grove, and this will be the second summer the course has been open. It was left up over the winter.

The idea for the course came when a resident approached Loverink with the idea of opening a Frisbee golf course at the spot.

The land the course is on is owned by the city and was susceptible to flooding until the city installed tile lines and storm drains. Loverink said there haven’t been any flooding issues since these changes went in.

When planning to build the course, Loverink went to the Austin course at Todd Park and was told about the course. He and some other citizens drew possible designs on graph paper until they found a design that would work.

“I enjoy seeing the people using it. It’s gratifying to see when you invest some time and money and then to see people using it.”