New Canaan - The Wave needs 18 holes!

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Fri Jun 22, 2007 11:50 pm

...I'm getting nervously excited about Wednesday....

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Wed Jun 27, 2007 10:44 pm

WE HAVE GREAT NEWS!!!!!!
We have gotten approval for a nine hole temp. course to run through Feb 2008.
It is in an area that will offer a variety of shots. Mostly in the woods with a great field hole with OB along the left and nasty bushes on the right.
I let Adam Goodman fill in the rest, maybe he can post a picture or two of the open hole.
I can't believe we have made it this far it has taken so long!
We will let you know about work days and we will need some help!
It's been a great day!

Craig Smolin · Post by **Craig Smolin** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:40 am

AWESOME!!!! Can't wait to hit Waveny after work when the Merritt North is totally swamped with traffic!!!

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 6:49 am

It almost didn't happen last night.

The bird people were voicing their concerns that we'd be ruining important habitat and nesting grounds. There was talk about having nature conservacy people walk the grounds with us. We were almost back to square one.

But then cooler heads prevailed. Who were these bird people? What were their credentials? And specifically what birds are we talking about? In the end it was decided that since this would only be a temporary course and since it utilized many of the old/abandoned equestrian paths, let's do it for 7 months or so and then revisit the issue before any nesting happens.

"The plug could be pulled at any time"...we were warned. Obviously we don't want to ruin any important habitat or nesting grounds, but it hasn't been proven that this area is one. Plus people already go back there with their dogs...so we really wouldn't be changing the landscape that much. Plus if we knew where this "habitat" was or even "if" it was, then we could alter the course to circumvent those areas. We already created a course that avoids the many wetland features.

Long story short: we need to be very respectful in preparing this course, respectful in playing this course, and always tred lightly. We hope everyone that visits and/or helps us with this course will be good disc golf citizens. Disc golf at Waveny in New Canaan will be an incredible opportunity for us to get our foot in the door. And this area across Lapham Road is a perfect environment for 9 fun, challenging, creative, and interesting holes.

Tim and I visualize that it will take ~3-4 weeks to get the course playable. We will post some dates for workdays. We will post when the course is officially open.

Matt Buono · Post by **Matt Buono** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 10:35 am

fingers are crossed

Scott Selders · Post by **Scott Selders** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 11:10 am

Great News Adam/Tim.

We will tread lightly, and try very hard to make a great impression.

Bird people are weird. They get excited looking at birds when they poop on their heads.

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Thu Jun 28, 2007 9:10 pm

Adam & I were out on the course today! Worked on hole 1, 2 & 3.
We can't wait to get things going.
Scott - no bird poops on our heads, so it was a mellow day.

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Sat Jun 30, 2007 8:23 pm

Adam did some work today on the course. I had to work. We continue to tweek the course. We might be the Most southern course in New England?
We Will Keep sending updates!

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 8:06 am

Worked For about 4 hours on Sunday! Holes 1, 2 & 3 Just about ready to go! We hope to be ready by the end of July!

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Mon Jul 02, 2007 9:43 pm

We are killing ourselves out there! Holes 1,2,3 &7 are good to go! We worked on 6 today. This is going to be a hole that will play with you a bit. Left to right with the land going in that direction. We have decided to take a break and get ready for Skylands. Things are moving forward!
Tim

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 8:24 am

I'm hoping to finish 6 (turning out to be very interesting) and work a little on 8 and 9 (flagging and cutting of bush/thorns). Will probably go out during lunch. After this my back needs a rest.

Maybe I'll take some pictures and post some photos. Though it helps to have the baskets in place...Tim?

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Tue Jul 03, 2007 6:30 pm

Talked to Adam after he did some work on the course. Hole 6 is good! We continue to plow foward! Adam, I got your message, will drop some baskets off Wed. AM, We need to get a work day going... Gregg, we will call you. I think the Cranbury crew is getting worried!!!

We are setting this up to be a some what of a tech. course that we will tweek to become a good, great woods nine hole course. We have many factions we need to be careful of, so we need to go slow.

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:33 am

Waveny Woods will be a fun, technical course that travels through woods in an unused area of Waveny Park. The atmosphere and environment in this area are superb. And even if the golfin' doesn't go well, the serene walk will be thoroughly enjoyed. Additionally, the potential to occasionally turn this course into 18 holes by using the open areas across the road will be incredible. Here are a few holes to give you an idea of what we are dealing with:

Hole 6 is a short shot from an elevated tee that travels over a drainage and large tree that was struck by lightening and into a protected green that slopes to the right. Approximately 240 feet

Hole 1 is a downhill technical shot with 2 fairway options off the pro tee. Approximately 250 feet.

Hole 7 is open, on the side of the Town of New Canaan's leaf mulching area. OB to the left and trouble to the right. Approximately 350 feet.

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:31 am

This morning we walked the course with a commission member who will help us by removing the dead and dying trees over the next couple weeks. This will be crucial!!!

Tim and I installed 3 baskets on holes 1 through 3. The course is looking better every day.

We are hoping for an early August course opening.

Anyone who is interested in seeing the course and helping out by dragging dead timber off fairways contact Tim, me, or post here.

S sjfoop · Post by **S sjfoop** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 10:36 am

Sounds good to me. I'm leaving on Saturday for a 2-3 week roadtrip. If you're going to be out there before then, I'm happy to help out. I'll keep an eye here or call my cell.

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:38 am

Thanks for the offer Greg. Maybe we'll pull together an impromptu get together later this week!

Below is a recent article published in one of New Canaan's local papers. This illustrates our progress and what we are up against.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
http://www.newcanaannews-review.com/sea ... ci_6305974

UNTITLED
By Kristiana Glavin
Article Last Updated: 07/05/2007 04:44:53 PM EDT

Frisbees could start flying around parts of Waveny Park in September at the town's first disc golf course.
A temporary nine-hole playing field should open Sept. 1 in the northwest corner of the park and stay through the end of February 2008. The Park and Recreation Commission, after seeing a successful disc golf demonstration in March, approved the trial run at its June 27 meeting.

Spearheading the project are local enthusiasts Tim Smith, Adam Goodman and Mickey Stayman, who recently formed the New Canaan Disc Golf Association.

"We want to promote (the sport) locally," said Smith at the Park & Rec meeting.

He said a nine-hole course should help limit volume, especially with an 18-hole course in Cranbury that would attract more out-of-towners. The disc golf group will also submit an interim report to Park & Rec in October to gauge community response.

To make room for the nine freestanding baskets, the association intends to clear brush and dead wood. Smith said the course follows old equestrian trails, so they are not creating any new paths. The Parks Department will help guide the volunteers on what underbrush to cut.

Birds nesting in that section of woods could pose a potential difficulty. The
sensitive period runs from March to mid-June, said Park & Rec commissioner Liz Livingston. She previously consulted with an animal specialist the New Canaan Nature Center recommended. Livingston questioned if the course could shut down for that time frame. That, though, coincides with disco golf's peak season.
Smith said the disc golfers will not use the entire section where birds might nest, and the group could install safeguards on the course. The alternative site is not as preferable, he said, because it is an open section and lacks the natural obstacles the proposed area has.

To get a better idea of the bird population, the commission plans to consult with an independent expert. It will also review the nature study previously done by Department of Environmental Protection for the dog socialization area.

The disc golf trial ends prior to when the nesting period begins, and the commission will determine how to proceed after gathering about the area and response.

S sjfoop · Post by **S sjfoop** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:07 pm

What is the meat of the bird argument? Is it that our removal of the underbrush will take away from nesting opportunities or that our presence alone will disturb them?

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:45 pm

Probably both, but the reality is that our course winds around pre-existing trails that are already used by dog walkers. Therefore the existence of humans in this area doesn't appear to be a real issue. Plus many (probably ~100 years ago), this whole area was deforested and used as farm land and/or an equestrian track. Also the undergrowth we have removed is mostly random thorns and such. If anything we are removing non-native plants that are invasive.

Understandably people are gun-shy about any disturbance, eventhough we are only using a miniscule portion of the park. We've seen no nests or evidence of nests thus far. Hopefully by the time we are done with the course, New Canaanites will realize there is no harm being done and will enjoy walking/playing this course...and make it more permanent. It's beautiful woods!

Bill Dunne · Post by **Bill Dunne** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:53 pm

I’ve been a bird watcher for years and I would understand their argument if they could name just one bird species that would be in danger if every tree in Waveny was removed.
There are plenty of other sites for these song birds, raptors, and water fowl to nest. This isn’t like an endangered Plover that only nest on the sand dunes of Cape Cod.

I applaud all your efforts and perseverance and look forward to seeing the course soon. Keep up the good work!

S sjfoop · Post by **S sjfoop** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 1:40 pm

I'm just trying to grasp and understand their argument. I can't see how our presence would distrurb the birds that much more than others walking themselves/dogs. It doesn't seem to hold much water to me. Regarding the removal of the dead trees and underbrush, would they feel better if instead of being removed it could simply be relocated elsewhere in the woods of the park. This would still provide plenty of nesting spots for them. Trying to get them to concede is likely moot but hopefully our actions can put their minds at more ease. Have they provided suggestions/requests of the volunteers or are they just holding firm opposition?

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:07 pm

I probably shouldn't have posted that article b/c the birds aren't really a concern at this moment. And we were surprised the article discussed them in that detail. We have no need to get too uptight about this yet!! After all, they have agreed to let us put in a disc golf course! The way I understand it is that there was a question about birds in the area. The CTDEP already weighed in on this issue for that specific area (originally considered for the dog park)...and in their eyes it wasn't a problem. IF it is proven that birds are an issues there (which hasn't been done yet), I have no doubt that we can show how disc golf can amicably coexist with almost anything in Waveny including birds nesting.

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 7:31 pm

Having been on the New Canaan Park & Rec Commission, this is all part of many tiny steps that need to be taken. We continue to move foward and we do not think the birds will be an issue. We are leaving this area for the most part untouched.
Adam & I were out there for anouther hour working on hole 9, this could be the best hole!
Tim

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 11:34 am

I will be at the course today from 4-ish to about 6:30-ish working on hole 8 and the paths. Anyone is welcome to come help out and/or come see Waveny Woods.

Hopefully starting on Wednesday some of the bigger dead and dying trees will be cut by the town...so Tim and I want to get the fairways as obvious as possible so the chainsaw operators know where to go.

Directions: Merrit Parkway, exit 37, go North on South Street, entrance to Waveny will be on your left. Go up and over the hill and around the dog park. Park at the Pool/Dog park parking lot on the west side of Waveny Park off Lapham Road. Hole 1 is across Lapham Road from that parking lot (you should be able to see the entrance). Hole 9 is accessed by walking south from the parking lot, under the paddle courts, under the dog park, and then crossing over the road about 350 feet south of the lot. There is a break in the rock wall for both entrances.

To find me today, enter via Hole 9 or call my cell 845*249*9956.

Work gloves and drinking water might be a good idea too.

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 8:13 pm

Adam & I were out there for a few hours today. We worked on some access paths, hole 9 and hole 8. I'll be out there working the course on Sunday in the early AM if anyone is game to help out.
We are hoping that the town will be able to do some tree work next week.
This will really open up a few holes and get us very close to opening the course for play.

Bill Dunne · Post by **Bill Dunne** » Sun Jul 15, 2007 9:33 pm

Adam,

Thanks for giving us a “private tour” of Waveny Woods. You and Tim have obviously done a ton of work and the course is shaping up nicely. That’s the first time I’ve ever played Object Golf. That said… I can’t wait to see the finished product when baskets are installed. We’ll try to pitch in one afternoon this week (before Billy leaves for summer camp).

Keep up the good work. What a piece of property that is!!

Bill Dunne · Post by **Bill Dunne** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 10:17 am

Dunne and son will try to get out there today to clear off 8 & 9’s fairways (no cutting, just removing downed branches).

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 12:21 pm

COOL!

Call Tim because I think he's plannning on going out at ~2 and will be there for a good bit today. (w) 203-655-2726

We worked a bunch on 8 yesterday and made obvious the path from 6 to 7/8. And we hung up a few next tee signs.

The holes with the most work are going to be 2, 4, and 9!!! So please feel free to help out on Hole 9 by moving dead timber off the fairway. Also, please try to drag the wood as far away as possible as this fairway will eventually open up considerably probably on both sides. You could leave the long straight big branches to help line paths...

I'd like to think I'll be out there much later today, but definitely tomorrow...it's so addictive!

Bill Dunne · Post by **Bill Dunne** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:28 pm

We're heading out now. We'll be there around 2:00

Tim Smith · Post by **Tim Smith** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:38 pm

Big thanks to Team Dunne!!!!
We were out on hole nine for a good 2 plus hours. We cleared the dead wood from the left side of the fairway! Looks much better!
Adam watch out we found more bees!
Big Bill thanks for the beer and the stories!

WAVENY WOODS

Adam Goodman · Post by **Adam Goodman** » Wed Jul 18, 2007 8:05 pm

Logged a few more hours today stackin' and clearin' wood on Hole 9. This hole is starting to look sweet (thanks for the help). I think it's going to be one of our best. Hard to believe how much dead wood there is and how long it takes to clear it.

NEFA DISCussion

New Canaan - The Wave needs 18 holes!

GREAT SUCCESS