Rhode Island Course Development

Joe Vaughan · Post by **Joe Vaughan** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 3:12 pm

If there is anyone with knowledge of any previous efforts to develop a course in northern RI I'd be interested in talking with you.

I may have some leads on possible sites but would like to familiarize myself with any background info from previous efforts before following them up.

Thanks!

Mike Dussault · Post by **Mike Dussault** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 6:47 pm

I helped put a course in at N. Smithfield High. Lots of Fam in Northern RI, would love to hear what you got.

Gary Cyr · Post by **Gary Cyr** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:53 pm

T.M Dyer has been in the discgolf scene a long time in RI also. I asked T.M on another thread the same question. He isn't on the board much, from what I understand. If someone knows him, maybe they could ask him to just on this thread.

My wife is also from N.Smithfield area and her mom still lives there and knows lots of people as well. Recently, I had a conversation with Greg Wintrob about this same subject. He is the new NEFA RI Rep and should be involved too.

I really want to see a permanent course in RI, that's 18 holes. It's a big priority to me as the new VP to see this finally happen. I want to help in any way possible.

Buzzkill · Post by **Buzzkill** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 7:59 pm

Let me know what I can do to help.

Jason Southwick · Post by **Jason Southwick** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:12 pm

Rhode Island can't handle the truth!

Buzzkill · Post by **Buzzkill** » Thu Jan 17, 2008 8:12 pm

You can't handle me.

Joe Vaughan · Post by **Joe Vaughan** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 9:31 am

My leads are very much long shots ... rural land controlled by nonprofit developers. No idea if the parcels are suitable or if the owners would be interested. Pursuing the state parks might be more fruitful.

Greg already PM'd me and I'll talk with him to try and get myself up to speed. I just started playing a couple months ago.

Psyched to see that there are some other folks interested in making this happen in RI!

Felix Harvey · Post by **Felix Harvey** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 10:25 am

Jason Southwick wrote:Rhode Island can't handle the truth!

You're not getting Jack Nicholson and Buddy Cianci confused, are you?

Ryan Girard · Post by **Ryan Girard** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 11:48 am

I am completely on board for whatever folks want to do here in RI. My ideal course location would be mid state, i.e. Warwick and all points south. The tough part of finding an area in RI is that it is so condensed that much of the land use is accounted for. I am hoping with a new face as RI rep maybe new outlets can be explored. Until then I will continue to keep my fingers crossed on Ninigret, dream about the days of the course at Wordens Pond, and continue to look into areas for a new course. Lets make it happen!

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:39 pm

Hey Fellas,

Love to hear the desire for more courses is trickling into RI...

I currently am employed by RI largest private land owner...

The Audubon Society of RI is saving habitat for clean water and wildlife all over the state...

This gives me a unique perspective on what is happening with available land in RI...

There is a post on another thread about a new course in NY or NJ...they have been given 70acres to build an 18 polehole course inside a 90 acre park...

If you want to build an 18 polehole course...imo.. you need at least 20 acres of exculisive space ...

Tough sell in the smallest but most densely populated state in the country...

I have some contacts in the state park system...

Also, I know that Diamond Hill in Cumberland was approached a long time ago...

I would like to help anyone who wants to approach land owners... what they might expect from you... and what you might be able to expect from them...Who has been approached in the past as well as some suggestions as to where we might want to try...

Look forward to where all this fresh energy will lead...

Nic Willard · Post by **Nic Willard** » Tue Feb 05, 2008 4:34 pm

Yo T.M. Have you ever heard of Mount Hope Farm in Bristol, RI? The property is 200 acres of mostly woods, some very dense, but it is also on the Naraganssett Bay and has some great terrain for disc golf. Until recently it was private land, then given to the state, but is managed by a 501 3C non-profit. The farmland is open to joggers and walkers but there is only an outside perimeter loop of pavement and the rest is pastures and dense woods...a perfect place to carve a course. I have given some thought to proposing it to the state, but maybe we should talk beforehand. Let me know what you think. Peace

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Sun Feb 10, 2008 3:34 pm

Hey Nick,

I am familar with the property as to where it is...

Not sure I have ever done anything more than drive by...

I was not aware that it had been donated to the state...

I can ask around about who is in charge and what the deed restrictions might be...

Do you know the name of who is in charge of the non-profit???

Might be a local land trust and not the state???

Anyway I can ask around about who and what from my contacts...

It was suggested that the Arcadia Mangment area or possibly Burlingame...I believe that these are state facilities... It maybe worth pursuing a course at Colt State Park in Bristol...

I was contacted by the park supervisor in 1998 about how disc golf may fit into his park system... there was a 60 acre piece that a figure eight cross coutry running trail was being built on... there were a few large open fields with specimen trees on mowed grass leading into this sixty acres... I think that there is enough space to put in some interesting disc golf holes in the area in between the running trail... A site visit would be in order to see how the trail is being used and how much space is really available for use...He brought some stuff to his superiors, but...tabled for later...maybe it's later...

Have some other ideas but have not heard from anybody about what lands they might be aware of...

Here is one that I know of...Thirtyfive acres of wooded land... has small brook that runs through... Parking area and buildings on the property already... zoned commercial...Right off 95... the reasonable cost of $1.3million... maybe you can get the town to wave the taxes for a few years.

I want to hear other ideas...Any body know a venture capitalist???

Look forward to more dicussion,

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

Nic Willard · Post by **Nic Willard** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 12:49 pm

The website says it is owned and operated by the Mount Hope Trust in Bristol...But They only use the grounds for weddings and meetings in and around the main house. Next time your in the area drive into the wooden gate south of the main house on RTE 136, and go see for yourself...bring a bike so you can really get around quicker. I'm going to be in the neighborhood this coming sunday (17th) if you want to meet up. Let me know. PEACE

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 2:01 pm

Hey Nic,

I usually play skins with my pals in Miantonomi Park in Newport at noon.

We are done between 2:30 and 3:00pm. I could meet you there around 3:30.

Maybe you would like to play some disc golf with us???

Let me know what works for you.
Thanks,
T.M.DYER

Nic Willard · Post by **Nic Willard** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:22 pm

What time are you starting? How much money am i going to bring/lose? Baskets?

Matt DeAngelis · Post by **Matt DeAngelis** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 4:23 pm

pretty sure they do 25 cent carry skins for 20 holes, so $5.

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Thu Feb 14, 2008 7:19 pm

Hey Nic,

Matts right... $5.00..20 holes...All object holes... most are things ;where the disc must come to rest...

We start at noon in the corner of the park where Admiral Kalfbus Rd and Hillside Ave come together...

Home tonight and up til 11:30pm give me a call...401-789-9005.

Look forward to speaking with you soon,

T.M.DYER

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Fri Mar 28, 2008 5:07 pm

Hey

I have never heard from any of you about moving some of this forward...

I have some ideas... but the more the merrier...

What are the other options that YOU may know about????

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 5:59 pm

Hey Fellas,

I will soon need help finishing up the construction of the course in Charlestown, R.I. at Ninigret Park.

I want to talk with some of the other people who started and have posted on this thread...

I think that there are other possibilities...

I have not heard from anyone either on this thread or elsewhere...

What have you guys got for ideas???

The Mount Hope Farm thing that Nic suggested... I have not been able to find anyone that I know personaly involved in this...

I need to check out the website and see what it says about who is in charge of the property...

I have found that it is easier to find out who is the top dog and start there...

Talking to people who need to talk with higher ups for you is (imo) a waste of your valuable time.

I look forward to meeting some new blood with fresh energy and ideas...

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

Joe Vaughan · Post by **Joe Vaughan** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 10:59 am

I'm happy to help in any way. Definitely PM me when you need bodies for construction.

Regarding new courses: I'm eager to do something, but very new to DG so I haven't wanted to step on any toes.

I have some work contacts in development I can ping for ideas and I might be able to make a connection to the State Parks department through people I know in the Providence Parks department ... if we want to think about putting a proposal together for Snake Den park or somewhere similar.

Is Ninigret Park playable now? Maybe we should meet up, shoot a round and bounce some ideas around. This weekend is kind of crazy, but I might be free Sunday afternoon or monday. How late is the park open?

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:36 am

Hey Joe,

Ninigret is playable... just not a full 18 holes...not all targets are real pole holes either...

The park is open from 7am til sundown...

I play disc golf on Sundays in Newport at Miatonomi Park at Noon...

We are done with that round of twenty some object holes of Skins by 2:30 or 3:00...

I could be at Ninigret by 4:00pm...

Want to try to meet at Ninigret park on Sunday 4/20/2008 at 4pm???

Let me know what works for you...

I like the idea of a face to face to discuss ideas...

Look forward to talking with you soon...

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

Matt Brier · Post by **Matt Brier** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:40 am

Snake Den has the potential to be amazing but would take ALOT of work to make happen. I spoke with Greg last night about it. We should do a walkthrough sometime soon.

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 11:51 am

Hey Matt,

What is "ALOT" of work to make it happen???

Not sure why you would do a walk thru...

First thing to do is contact the person who is the "top dog" in charge of the Snake Den...

Find out from them if it is feasible on there property to set aside a chunk of land for a disc golf course... aprox. 30 acres for exclusive use...

Imo you need to also provide a parking area to accomadate 25 to 30 cars...

Imo it would be a waste of time to walk thru and look at what???

I would like to speak with Greg and others about what and where...

Look forward to more positive energy for disc golf in R.I.

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 12:23 pm

Hey Joe,

If you want to call me on the phone...home after dark...up til 11:30pm...

I can be reached at 401-789-9005...look forward to speaking with you soon...

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

Matt Brier · Post by **Matt Brier** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:16 pm

So you think we should just go to the "top dog" without any plan and ask them for exclusive use of 30 acres? But it does make sense to meet in person to discuss Ninigret? If you don't think a walk-thru to check out the property is a good idea, then, guess what, don't show up, but why are you trying to discourage the idea?

We need a course closer to Providence, Ninigret is 50 minutes away and is essentially unplayable in the summer anyway. And, FYI, DEM headquarters are located there, as well as a working farm whom we would want to work with. Parking is definitely an issue and might make it a non-starter, but there might be solutions.

Mike Dussault · Post by **Mike Dussault** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 1:44 pm

My cousins family owns Dane farm. I think that is the farm in question.

T.M.DYER · Post by **T.M.DYER** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 2:22 pm

Hey Matt,

My intent is not contradictory...

I am not familar with the Snake den property... size in acrage... topograghy... current land usage... long range plans for property development...wetlands and sensitive habitiat issues...

I am suggesting that before you tour the property and layout 18 to 36 different hole layouts in your mind over this ridge and down over there...

It seems that you might need to know if they are interested at all ...

that a disc golf course can take upwards of twenty some exculsive acres...parking issues...etc...

I think some times it is easier to bounce ideas around face to face than on this forum...

I want to help put any course in anywhere in R.I....

My time and yours is valuable...

I think that you need to have a plan when you speak with the top dog...

but IMO with out knowing a lot more details a walk about is...

I want any effort to ask about a course install to have the best chances of success...

The incredible amount of effort to keep Ninigret on track for the last ten years is amazing...

Please Matt accept my apology if my comments rubbed you wrong..that was not my intent...
Look forward to more (healthy/lively) discussions...

Thanks,
T.M.DYER

Joe Vaughan · Post by **Joe Vaughan** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 4:23 pm

TM - my schedule this weekend is pretty dicey - in-laws are in town. But I'll give you a call if I can shake free Sunday afternoon.

Matty - I'd be up for a snake den walk-through any evening after work next week ... except Thursday when I'm planning on hitting blands league.

I definitely agree with TM, and I'm sure you do too, that planning the holes would be premature. But I think it would be useful to see the site and verify that it works for our purposes before making any overtures to the powers that be.

If/when we do make that move I'd be inclined to have done some prep work to make the best possible first impression with a responsible plan and a strong argument that DG is in the park's best interest.

So I think it makes sense to get a (literal) lay of the land before investing that time. I have no experience with getting DG courses approved ... but overall I've learned that the more you can present yourself as having done your homework the more likely a decision maker is to take you seriously.

Here's the DEM page on the park: http://www.riparks.com/snakeden.htm Listed at 1000 acres of undeveloped land. Should be plenty.

the website directs you to this entrance:
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&g ... 7&t=h&z=18

Not a lot of space in that lot ... maybe 30 cars?

There's another lot at the point A on that map if you zoom out ... I guess that is the DEM offices?

Matt Brier · Post by **Matt Brier** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:32 pm

The DEM office is on the corner of Route 6 and Brown Avenue. Dame Farm is about 2 miles down the road. There is a dirt lot on Brown Avenue next to Dame Farm but it only holds like 3 cars. That is a major issue no doubt but there is plenty of room to put in more parking.

DEM tried to put in a water park about 5 years ago but was shut down by local opposition. Right now, only the dog walkers and rock climbers enjoy the pristine undeveloped land.

Joe, I have your email so I will let you know when we go out there to check it out.

Matt Brier · Post by **Matt Brier** » Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:41 pm

FYI, the paved lot in the Google link is for Dame Farm. The dirt lot is just past that. The Dame family used to own the land but then the State took it by emminent domain and now rents it back to them. They do apple-picking and horse rides but might very well be interested in supporting DG as it could potentially bring them more business. We would also want to get the Town of Johnston on board.