June 26, 2005
July 31, 2008
The second fairway of the short course shows the impact of another three years of use.
These are photos of the disc golf courses in Upper Bidwell Park. They are intended to show a sampling of what can be seen up there. We hope that you will take the time to go up and see for yourself. The courses are located off Highway 32, about 4.5 miles east of Bruce Road Map. There are two courses there, the "short course" which is closer to the highway and farther up the hill, and the "long course" which is closer to the cliffs and farther west.
At present (August 2008), the status of the course is under review as part of the Bidwell Park Master Management Plan update.
All photos taken July 31, 2008 unless otherwise noted.
June 26, 2005
July 31, 2008
The second fairway of the short course shows the impact of another three years of use.
June 26, 2005
January 12, 2006
July 31, 2008
The second tee on the long course shows one of many areas of worsening erosion. It also features one of the many benches brought in and constructed without permission.
The disc golf courses see frequent use when the area is wet and subject to erosion. Signs that ask golfers to stay off when trails are closed are not enforced and routinely ignored.
Short course, 9th fairway, October 11, 2004
July 31, 2008
Widening trails and new trails are prevalent throughout the short and long courses. Note how faint pathways turned into deeply cut trails. This example shows degradation over a span of just four years.
Unlike ordinary single-track trails in other areas of Upper Park, the disc golf course contains a growing number of parallel trails on the courses.
Disc golf tone poles (the "holes" used on these courses) are regularly located within groupings of blue oaks. The 2007 EIR states that 241 blue oaks have already been damaged on the long course, and an additional 100 on the short course.
Bidwell Park's seasonal smoking ban is ignored on the disc golf courses. Graffiti and tags are present and not always family friendly.
At this time (August 2008), the courses were relatively clean and well-maintained. This has not always been true. The controversy surrounding the planning process and environmental review seems to have motivated golf proponents to make an extra effort to clean the place up. Will this newfound willingness to clean up continue after the political spotlight fades?
Steady use has had an obvious impact on the soils and vegetation on the courses. Soil compaction and the loss of ground cover are widespread. Natural regrowth to replace trees and perennial plants is impossible where the ground is continually trampled.
Some areas seem to have been deemed eligible for protection.
