you put your weed in it...

I recently caught sight of a couple of drunk, weed smoking disc golfers in the park. It is stunning how they are ruining our community:


Here is a copy of the letter I wrote to the paper today:

Over the previous few weeks it has been disheartening to witness and experience first-hand the attitude and attacks by those who oppose disc golf. Letters in the paper, phone calls, and personal conversations have often been filled with degrading stereotypes, profanity laced tirades and even harassing phone calls to people’s homes by those who seek to keep disc golf out of Bidwell Park.

Disc golf supporters have recently sat at the table with city officials and opponents and attempted to compromise. The only compromise offered by opponents has been to close the courses and study other possible locations. (locations that are already known to be impossible or impractical for disc golf) The entire debate centers around the fact that the Bidwell Park Plan supported a number of compromises and the council chose the only option that contained no compromise for recreationists. We want to work to make our park recreational as well as more environmentally nurturing. We are willing to compromise.

The referendum effort has been an incredible experience of community involvement. The wide cross-section of our community that I have encountered and worked alongside has increased my love for the Chico community. The absolutely unwillingness to compromise and derogatory attitude of disc opponents has been greatly discouraging. I applaud the council’s decision to reconsider their previous vote at the next council meeting. I simply ask for reason and compromise by all who are involved and a new decision that accurately represents the views of our community.


I referred to the council decision to reconsider disc golf. You can read about that here.

In response to Josephine's letter in the paper today and in particular the following quote:

"Instead of working with the city to find a new location, they are obstructing implementation of the entire Bidwell Park management plan using
fear-based myths. "

1. Disc Golf supporters have been working with the city to find a new location. Please refresh yourself on the last couple of decades of disc golf history. Every attempt to locate an alternate location has lead back to the current location being the most suitable.

2. Yes, i concede I am using fear-based myths. I think that is very appropriate in this situation. I am honestly afraid of losing additional recreation in our park. That is my true fear. I fear my kids will be limited in their ability to hike, bike, swim, disc golf and more.

Every day when i ride my bike through the park to work, (because even as a disc golfer, i do consider myself to be an environmentalist...) I look around and hope that I am wrong. That is the fear that that I face each day. Perhaps it it is irrational, perhaps it is purely myth, but in my opinion the council's decision opened the door to future reduction in recreation opportunities.

There is no other conclusion to draw when we have far greater intensive recreation occuring all over the park and we are being told that disc golf is too intensive. One group of opponents pushed for disc golf to be removed, who is to say that won't happen to hiking, biking and more?

I admit it, I am a fear-monger. I fear the park will become a nature preserve. I love nature preserves. I have visited many. But Bidwell is meant to be a place where nature and recreation co-exist. So I will continue to ask for signatures. I collect them not to save disc golf. But because i fear losing something far greater and special... the place my kids run, play and explore each day. I sincerely hope you are right and this fear is purely a myth...

Brian

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