Disc Golf Course Scores A Hole in One

About the Program

Category: Parks and Recreation (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

Lacking funds to develop a 545-acre tract to its fullest potential and staff it adequately, New Quarter Park was operated as a large group picnic area for 19 years, used on a reservation only basis without on-site staff. As York County’s population grew, citizens not only wanted more recreational facilities developed at New Quarter Park but also requested that it be opened for general public use on a regular basis. Knowing that these changes would require on-site personnel and a subsequent increase in park operation expenditures during a time when competition for funding was fierce, staff looked for ways to generate additional revenue that could help offset the new costs. During the planning process for determining what new recreational facilities should be developed at the park, staff was approached by a citizen’s group about the possibility of building a disc golf course at New Quarter. Staff was interested in developing the course because it presented an opportunity to establish a new source of revenue. Exceeding all expectations for revenue generation, the operation of the disc golf course has become a “broad winner” accounting for 92% of the park’s revenues.