Metro Council approves championship disc golf course at Blue Lake Regional Park
On Dec. 8, 2011, Metro Council approved funding to construct an 18-hole disc golf course at Metro’s Blue Lake Regional Park. The course design will be the first gold-level disc golf course in the Portland metropolitan area.
View a map of the planned course
"When I was elected to Metro Council District 1, I vowed to focus my efforts on projects like this. The Blue Lake Regional Park grounds have ample room and this new addition nicely complements the family-friendly park theme. As a retired registered dietitian and health researcher, combining healthy activities and economic development in east Multnomah County is an extraordinary opportunity. This course will expand outdoor recreation options along with creating viable economic growth," said Metro Councilor Shirley Craddick.
"Blue Lake Park is a wonderful facility in our community and we are happy to see Metro continue its investment in new features such as the disc golf course. It really is a regional asset for the metropolitan area and we encourage residents to come and visit," said Joseph Gall, City administrator for the city of Fairview.
Recognizing the potential economic development opportunities offered by this course, the city of Fairview has been a strong proponent of the project. The gold-level designation, the highest ranking awarded to disc golf courses by the Professional Disc Golf Association, will allow the Blue Lake course to host prestigious local, national and international disc golf competitions. By drawing hundreds of players from across the globe, hosting disc golf tournaments would provide a boon to local businesses, restaurants and hotels.
Disc golf (similar to a Frisbee) is an active recreational activity providing upper and lower body conditioning, aerobic exercise while promoting a combination of physical and mental conditioning. Disc golf is a new sport and an inexpensive activity for the whole family. According to the Disc Golf Association, there are more than 3,000 disc golf courses in America.
Designed by one of the top disc golfers in the nation, Dave Feldberg, the course uses approximately 70 acres of Blue Lake’s east property. The course design creates a layout appropriate to both beginners and experienced professionals. Next Adventure sponsorship helped reduce the total project cost and assisted getting this project off the ground. "We were pleased to see the Metro funding approved. This will be a very popular course," said Bryan Knudsen, co-owner of Next Adventure.
Just like visitors to the rest of Blue Lake Regional Park, disc golfers will be expected to pay a $5 per vehicle entry fee, which grants them day-long access to the course as well as other park amenities including the lake, walking trails and the water spray ground. Bicyclists and pedestrians pay no admission to Blue Lake Regional Park.
More information on Metro’s regional parks
