News Flash

Please provide any feedback to the Parks and Recreation Department at riversidepr@riverside.il.us.

Proposed locations for the disc golf course have been marked with stakes and ribbons. (1) ribbon designates a tee box, which will be comprised of pavers at ground level, and (2) ribbons designate a basket location. We invite everyone to visit the area, walk the proposed course and forward any feedback.

Draft Disc Golf Course layout (PDF)

Disc Golf Slide Presentation Prepared by Parks and Recreation Board member John Mcglennon - to be updated regularly

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Disc Golf being proposed?

• Disc golf promotes outdoor physical activity and supports mental health.
• Disc golf is inclusive. All ages and skill levels can play this game.
• Disc golf is growing in popularity, with 7,000 courses in the U.S., including courses in surrounding communities.

Based on the reasons stated above the Parks and Recreation Board felt that disc golf was a recreation opportunity that should be explored for Riverside. It is the goal of the Parks and Recreation Board to get more people in the parks. Two groups that the Parks and Recreation Board is trying to reach are teenagers and active older adults. While the Village has received questions and concerns regarding this project, it is important to note that the Parks and Recreation Board and the Village have received the following positive feedback:

• Residents are excited about another recreation opportunity.
• Residents are supportive of another use of the Village’s green space.
• Residents did not feel that the disc golf course will detract from the natural surroundings.

Based on some concerns that were expressed about this project, the Village has created a list of FAQs below.

What is the current state of the project?

• Installation of a disc golf course has not started nor has the Village Board provided final approval. Currently, the Parks and Recreation Board is conducting their due diligence for this project.
• The project has unanimous support from the Parks & Recreation Board and the Village Board of Trustees has supported the project in concept.  
• The Parks & Recreation Department has reached out to the Preservation and Landscape Advisory Commissions for feedback.
• The Department has also reached out to residents in the area for their feedback and invited them to participate in the committee that will assist with the planning phase of the project.  This committee will take into consideration all feedback received and determine the best way to accomplish the goal in the safest and least impactful manner.
• The planning committee has placed stakes at the proposed location for residents and Board Members to review prior to any installation. We welcome any feedback regarding the layout.

Why is the Scout Cabin/Indian Gardens area the location proposed?

• In addition to the space available to accommodate a course, it offers a parking lot which will reduce on street parking.  It also allows the Village to provide recreational opportunities to the residents of First Division which are extremely limited due to much of the green space being located in a floodway.  This area is most favorable for disc golf because of the large areas of winding green space and trees.

Were other locations considered?

• There was discussion of other locations at the Parks & Recreation Board level, but the area of Indian Gardens/Scout Cabin was the only feasible area for installation due to the amount of space needed and the adjacent parking lot.  
• A disc golf course would not be possible in any of the Village’s commons as it would not allow the space needed and it is surrounded by roadways and vehicles.  
• There is insufficient area in Patriots Park and other parks.

Will the course be designed exactly like the map I’ve seen?

• No.  
• The Parks & Recreation Board had to develop a visual representation of where the course could be located in order to propose the project.  
• The final locations of the baskets is yet to be determined. 
• The planning committee is working on the precise locations given the feedback and will has placed stakes at proposed locations for review.  
• It is the goal of the committee to install the baskets with minimal visibility from the street. It is anticipated that the tee boxes will be marked by depressed pavers.

When did the Village begin discussing a disc golf course? 

• Preliminary discussion began March 2020 and again in early 2021. In April 2022, the project was included in the Parks & Recreation Board Work Plan in 2022 and 2023, in total this project has been discussed at over 10 meetings.

What communication and due diligence has occurred?

• The Parks & Recreation Board discussed this topic at several meetings that are open to the public.
• Discussions about the concept were held at the Preservation Commission in 2022 and 2023. 
• The concept was presented to the Village Board on April 6, 2023. The Board directed Village staff to solicit feedback from neighboring property owners. An update was provided on August 3, 2023.
• The third week of June 2023, a letter was hand-delivered to all homes in proximity to the disc golf course, informing them of the project and requesting their feedback.
• A planning committee was formed (25 members, the majority being Riverside Residents). This committee will assist with the layout the course based on the feedback received and best locations for proper play.  The committee is comprised of not just Riverside residents, but also avid disc golfers, and individuals that have experience is setting up a course.
• Public Safety has obtained traffic data in the area and assisted in evaluating traffic safety issues in the area.
• The concept was presented to the Landscape Advisory Commission to obtain feedback on August 8, 2023.

What concerns were raised regarding disc golf?

• Impact to trees and/or migratory birds.
  1. Staff reached out to the Morton Arboretum and the Audobon Society, who confirmed that a disc golf course would have little to no impact.
• Concerns regarding traffic and speeding vehicles.
  1. Staff would work with Public Safety to address any violations and conduct traffic counts.
• Discs will be thrown into the street.
  1. Great care will go into the locations of the holes to prevent throwing in the direction of the street.
• Aesthetics/Litter
  1. While the baskets are mostly transparent structures, materials/colors could be chosen to blend in further with the surroundings. 
  2. Baskets can be removed seasonally.
  3. Litter is of major concerns at all of our green spaces. Staff would monitor the area closely and address it should this become an issue.

What are the next steps?

• The Disc Golf Planning committee met on July 26, 2023 to discuss a potential layout of the course. Staff reiterated the concerns conveyed by residents.
  1. The committee toured local disc golf courses on August 9 and August 16.
  2. The committee placed stakes in a proposed layout on August 23.
• The Parks and Recreation Board will continue to provide updates to the Village Board as the planning progresses. 
  1. The Disc Golf Committee will provide regular updates to the Parks and Recreation Board.
• Once a final design is complete, it will need to be presented to the Village Board for final consultation. 
  1. The project will need budget approval by the Village Board.
  2. The timing of the installation of the disc golf course would be based upon availability of the equipment and installer.