Barre Falls Quagmire

Ken Ostiguy · Post by **Ken Ostiguy** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 1:51 am

I have alot of respect for the Army Corps of Engineers, so I want to state up front that this is not a complaint. It's just that so many people I talk to would be willing to chop down the hayfield at Barre Falls. Of course I realize that liability prevents us from helping out up there. I also can see that this is quite a large project to maintain and there are alot of priorities to consider. I'm just trying to speak out for those of us disc golfers with horrible games. We search for hours in the hay with visions of some hay baler chopping our new plastic to pieces. Finally giving up and vowing to leave this course behind. I hear lots of chatter that say Barre Falls is unplayable until they mow.
I love Barre Falls and I don't want to see it gain a reputation as anything less than the awesome course that it is. I honestly wouldn't want to complain to those guys who cleared so many truckloads of logs and trees off of that course (as well as the new designs on Holes #1 and #2). I just wanted to know if there is any constructive solution to this issue. If I'm out of line, please let me know, I mean no disrespect.

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 8:10 am

Ken, they only mow the fairways until it's time to hay. I and many others have felt your pain, but it is what it is. If you're playing with someone, I'd suggest vigorously having a spotter in the fields. If not, throw shorter drives? (this doesn't mean to be sarcastic, it's just all I can offer you.) You can't mow it yourself, the rangers give the fields to farmers who hay for their livestock.

I live close by and will help with finding discs all I can. Just post your losses on the Lost and Found with adequate info.

As far as the changes on 1 and 2, it was mostly hole 2 which was creating dangerous play, according to the powers that be. To avoid "crossing fairways" hole 1 had to be moved. Good or bad? time and feedback will tell. (I wish I could go back four years or so and strangle the folks who jumped the fences on old 14 and 15, the gorge holes, and caused damage to them who started this mess......)

"change isn't bad as long as there is still a challenge." -- unknown as of yet

Ken Ostiguy · Post by **Ken Ostiguy** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:24 am

Thanks Jim,
I guess the only thing to do is start a fund to buy out all the potential hay and chop, chop ,chop.

Just kidding, I love farmers and support Farm Aid. Maybe a "Use Spotter" sign(or note it on existing sign) for people unaware of the danger? I think alot of people throw and go "Oh @#$&!" after the fact. I know its not people in this forum, but I hate to see new players get discouraged/give up on such a great course.

Karl Molitoris · Post by **Karl Molitoris** » Tue Jul 07, 2009 9:59 am

In southern New England, normally (on a typical year - this year is atypically "wet") farmers try to get in 2 and 1/2 hayings a year. The first is usually in late June. The second is in late September. And the "1/2" is as late as you can (depending on the weather) to get the stunted 1/2-crop of hay in.

These "dates" will vary depending on 1) weather, 2) availability of farmer and / or equipment, 3) growth of grass, 4) mud underfoot (or more precisely, under tires...mud not good...gets tractor stuck!).

I'm not necessarily thinking of Barre here (but maybe perhaps...), but if we - the dg'ing community - work with (read: get this type of info from) the farmers of courses where fields are part of the course, we might better know when to schedule tournaments for play at those courses.

Just a thought.

Karl

Rick Hobbs · Post by **Rick Hobbs** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 12:57 pm

I think what rankles a bit here is that the course and its users have always had to adapt to the concerns of other users, the ACE, DCR, etc. Most of these changes aren't total show-stoppers, so for the most part, we can live with them. However, I think the comment about the field fairways is legitimate. Could the farmers spare another swath or so to minmize lost throws? Think of how much less the hay will get trampled on by people looking for discs. Not to mention the lost playing time and possibly money saved by the players. The point is, we've always adapted to changes we sometimes don't like, so it would be nice to get something we would like in return.

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:32 am

I've mentioned it before to the rangers, I'll try again. I agree a small swath, or series of them wouldn't hurt.

Rick Hobbs · Post by **Rick Hobbs** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:23 am

I drove by yesterday, saw some haying equipment and mowed hay in the fields near the entrance and of the road...fingers crossed, maybe they'll get to the fairways soon. The dam had been holding back some water but it appears to be going down again. A few more days of dry weather could put the course back into shape for us.

Morgan Wright · Post by **Morgan Wright** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 11:34 am

I suggest not playing those holes. How many holes in the hay? I think maybe 4 holes tops? That leaves 14 playable holes.

Andy Duquette · Post by **Andy Duquette** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:04 pm

Yea, that first field by the entrance is hayed, that's it so far. I hope they get the rest soon. It would probably increase the number of players in my Saturday league.

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 3:21 pm

Yes, haying has started. Relax folks, it's nothing new at Barre, it happens every year.

If you started playing a month ago, sure, don't play those holes. If you've been playing awhile, you should know what to do. Use a spotter or throw a controlled shot (or an extra one, if need be) and keep it in the fairway.

Ken Ostiguy · Post by **Ken Ostiguy** » Sun Aug 09, 2009 10:14 pm

Jim,
Understand that I mean no disrespect. I'm just always trying to turn people on to the sport and the feedback was repeatedly bad on Barre Falls. Chatter among golfers and some people at my work were complaining that they tried the course and lost discs. I realize alot of effort is made to maintain the course, and its beautiful (especially Hole 16)Since it's obvious that others share this opinion. Just wanted to find out if the arrangement with the farmer is something permanent or something that could be negotiated with money or a change of policy. Things will remain the same year after year unless we try to work out solutions.

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:49 am

None taken. If they put their names and numbers on the discs and at least let you know which holes they've lost them on I may be able to hunt them down, but don't wait too long; pretty soon the cows will be chewing more than cud.

Other than that, I played with my brother and his friend over the weekend, his friend is a newbie. I reminded him to not throw anything understable on hole 3, as the river still becons to plastic. I told him twice, but he did, and it did. It really is a factor to new players to not hero any shot they aren't capable of handling. I'm speaking from experience, not trying to bust any balls.

I seriously doubt the farmers want your money, they need hay.

Ken Ostiguy · Post by **Ken Ostiguy** » Tue Aug 11, 2009 2:10 am

I get it Jim. We all had to learn where not to throw at some point. God bless those farmers anyway. I suppose its not right to whine about disc golf given their plight these days :oops:

. Thanks: moving on

Matt Duquette · Post by **Matt Duquette** » Wed Aug 19, 2009 1:51 pm

It's mowed.

Jason Johnson · Post by **Jason Johnson** » Thu Nov 05, 2009 10:39 pm

I had this rather disturbing email sent to me this evening. Everyone who plays on public land should be concerned as this is only one persons opinion, however it brings up again a continuing problem that threatens our ability to create new courses, and potentially to hold onto existing courses...
Very disappointed in the class of people who play disc golf at the Barre Falls reservation. I have and continue to be in there every day for the past 30 years and am distressed at the lack of respect these folks display as they repeatedly leave behind every thing from plastic baggies to beverage containers. Where there are trash resepticles, the piles of rubbish overflows onto the ground. What is wrong with these people who appear to be just a bunch of irresponsible stoners. Something needs to be done to impress upon these folks that they should enjoy the outdoors, use it rather than abuse it and please, LEAVE NO TRACE.

Your help in this matter is imperative.... Thank you.

PLAYERS AT BARRE, DEAL WITH THIS SITUATION ASAP. I WOULD RATHER BE ON THE END OF POSITIVE EMAILS PROMOTING THE SPORT THAN TRYING TO DIFFUSE COURSE CLOSINGS AND MEND FENCES OVER CRAP LIKE THIS.

PLEASE SELF POLICE YOUR COMMUNITY COURSE. DON'T ALLOW PEOPLE TO TRASH IT. SPEAK UP WHEN YOU SEE PEOPLE LITTERING OR BEHAVING IN WAYS THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE SPORT, THE ENVIRONMENT, AND THE PERCEPTION THAT DISC GOLFERS DON'T CARE ABOUT WHAT ANYONE ELSE THINKS AND ITS THEIR RIGHT TO BEHAVE LIKE TRAILER TRASH.

I STRONGLY SUGGEST, THAT SOMEONE LOCAL ORGANIZE AND PUBLICIZE A TRASH CLEANUP/COURSE APPRECIATION DAY AT BARRE FALLS, BEFORE THE SNOW FALLS. AND THAT THE PEOPLE WHO ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS ARE FOUND AND TOLD EXPLICITLY THAT THEIR BEHAVIOR IS OUT OF LINE AND ENDANGERS NOT ONLY THEIR HOME COURSE BUT EVERY COURSE THAT THE GENERAL PUBLIC HAS A SAY ABOUT.

DISC GOLFING ON PUBLIC LANDS IS NOT YOUR RIGHT TO RUIN THE AREA FOR THE GENERAL PUBLIC OR YOUR FELLOW DISC GOLFERS. I CAN'T BEGIN TO THINK OF HOW MANY HOURS WENT IN TO CREATING AND MAINTAINING BARRE FALLS. BUT JUST ASK THE CAPE COD CC COURSE PLAYERS HOW QUICKLY IT CAN BE TAKEN AWAY.

Jeff Prendergast · Post by **Jeff Prendergast** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 6:49 am

Jason Johnson wrote: Where there are trash resepticles, the piles of rubbish overflows onto the ground.

Well then, it's not 100% bad. Obviously some people are making an effort to get rid of the trash in its proper place. Who is normally responsible for emptying the trash buckets?

But yeah, there are lazy slobs in every community who just drag the rest of us down.

Jim Bobka · Post by **Jim Bobka** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 7:08 am

The rangers empty the existing barrels as they fill, probably weekly. I've also put a couple of my own in other locations.

This does get very tiring, walking through and trying to play while picking up someother dooshbag's empty M&M wrappers and underwear.

Volunteerism has it's pains.

I've had the discussion with the Rangers about shutting down the course for a short amount of time as a warning. I have no problem with that. They really don't want to do it, but it's difficult removing the bad apple from the bottom of the bag without disturbing the good ones. --jimbo

Jason Johnson · Post by **Jason Johnson** » Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:47 am

I appreciate that local players are trying to do something, thank you. This has been an ongoing problem, at Buffumville, Northampton, Wickham, Borderlands. Often parks are reluctant to put out trash cans at all because it seems to attract dumping of garbage that is not even generated by users of the area. The people who are most able to pin point who it is and confront them, or report them are the users of the resource. It costs money to haul garbage, and to have to pay someone to go out and pick it up, especially time consuming on DG courses covering multiple acres over varied terrain. So I'm asking you to reach out to your friends, and talk to others utilizing the course. Encourage people to pack out what they pack in, and especially don't stash it and spread it all over our courses. It makes everyone look bad and reflects poorly on the sport, and makes positive momentum that much more difficult.

Thanks, JJ

NEFA DISCussion

Barre Falls Quagmire

Barre Falls Quagmire

Barre Falls

Barre Falls

Barre Falls

Respecting the course, and the rest of the world

Re: Respecting the course, and the rest of the world

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