A Clear, fact-based, no-nonsense list of pros and cons for placing a disc golf course specifically on the two Village-owned East Sector parcels (PID 013-166-891 & PID 031-264-174).

✅ PROS (Realistic Advantages)

1. Village-Owned Land (No Crown/FVRD Tenure Required)

The Village actually holds title here — unlike the formal East Sector Lands park.
That means:

No need for Provincial Crown Land authorization
No FVRD park approval
No Crown tenure fees

This is the ONLY land in the East Sector where the Village can propose disc golf without needing provincial permission.

2. Closer to McCombs Drive / Existing Access

These parcels sit:

Near neighbourhoods
Near existing walking routes
Along a main road
Access is simpler than pushing deeper into the East Sector.

3. Less Sensitive Than the Crown Parkland East of the Boundary

While still forested and ecologically active, these parcels:

Do not contain the major wetlands
Are not the boardwalk habitat zone
Do not include the sphagnum bog
Are not registered as conservation land

Environmental risk is lower than in the East Sector park itself.

4. Could Create a Defined Recreation Zone

If designed correctly, the course could:

Concentrate recreation in a controlled area
Reduce the pressure on the East Sector park trails
Offer year-round recreation

5. Possible tourism and local activity boost

Disc golf can bring:

Local players
Visitors
Small-scale economic activity

But this depends on design and management.

❌ CONS (Significant, Real, Must-Consider)

**1. ALR Restrictions — Disc Golf Is Not a Permitted Use**

Both parcels are in the Agricultural Land Reserve.
Disc golf = Non-Farm Use → must be approved by the Agricultural Land Commission.

The ALC has rejected many recreational uses (bike parks, dog parks, disc golf, climbing gyms) if they:

Remove trees
Disturb soil
Affect habitat
Reduce agricultural potential

Approval is not guaranteed and could be denied.

2. Forest Clearing = Habitat Loss

Even a “minimal” disc golf course requires:

Clearing fairways
Removing underbrush
Limbing trees
Creating landing zones
Building tee pads
Footpaths between holes

Impacts include:

Habitat loss
Disruption of small wildlife
Loss of protective understory
Fragmentation of movement routes

3. Wildlife Conflict Risk

These parcels border:

Bear corridors
Cougar movement areas
Deer bedding zones

Disc golfers repeatedly enter the bush to retrieve discs.
This increases:

Surprise encounters
Den disturbance
Wildlife displacement

4. Fire Risk

Disc golf courses increase:

Foot traffic
Human access into dry forest
Cigarette ignition chances
Informal trails that remove moisture-holding vegetation

These parcels sit in a High Wildfire Interface Zone — confirmed in the Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan.

5. Erosion and Environmental Degradation Over Time

Disc golf pressure typically leads to:

Repeated off-trail movement
Soil erosion
Widened trails
Bare patches
Loss of moss and forest floor
Compaction of roots

This is a long-term permanent impact.

6. Parking and Traffic Impact on McCombs Drive

Disc golf brings:

Cars
Groups
Weekend traffic

McCombs is already narrow and not designed for recreational parking overflow.

7. Noise & Neighbour Impact

Residents may experience:

Noise
Off-leash dogs
Late-evening gathering
Increased foot traffic nearby

8. Liability

Disc golf introduces:

Risk of flying objects
Trip hazards
Wildlife encounters
Nighttime use
Treefall risk

All of this becomes Village liability since the land is Village-titled.

9. Course Management Requires Ongoing Maintenance

Disc golf is deceptively high-maintenance:

Fallen branches must be cleared
Mud, erosion, and ruts must be stabilized
Trails must be formalized
Garbage, vandalism, and unauthorized trails need monitoring

If unmanaged, the site degrades fast.