Request to move proposed disk golf course from Blackwood Farm Park
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Jo Eimers
Mar 27, 2026, 9:33:10 AM (5 days ago) Mar 27
to OCB...@orangecountync.gov, David Stancil, Keith Barnhardt
We respectfully request that you, the Board of County Commissioners, direct DEAPR to change the site of the proposed disc golf course from Blackwood Farm Park to a suitable County property, such as Cedar Grove Park or Fairview.
We are aware that the disc golf course has been a part of the Park’s master plan for years and was approved in the 2025 Orange County budget. However, until recently the presentation of this plan to the public has been woefully misleading: The depiction of the disc golf course on the revised master plan shows the course comprising one field adjacent to Interstate 40, and only one field adjacent to I 40. Such minimal disturbance would be acceptable to Blackwood Farm Park’s frequent visitors.
Now it’s been revealed (by placement of PVC pipes delineating the proposed course) that, instead, the course impacts 1/3 of the entire Park on and near Alice’s Trail.
While we don’t believe that this misrepresentation was done with malicious intent, it is a significant misrepresentation and it has led the public to accept what we thought would be a minimal impact on the Park.
We are strong supporters of both the recreation mission and the conservation mission of the Park. We greatly enjoy our walks on the undisturbed trails through the natural ecosystems of the Park.
Cutting hundreds of yards of path through the forest, thereby increasing development of a now conserved area, will result in adverse effects on the Park’s environmental health — namely, degraded water quality and adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
Two children’s camps that contract with Blackwood Farm Park have indicated they cannot continue to hold camps in the park if the disc golf course is installed causing disturbance to local hydrology and ecology. This will deprive many children of the opportunity to experience the natural environment of Blackwood Farm Park and would deprive Blackwood Farm Park of revenue from the camps.
When the master plan was revised to include the disc golf course, there were no disc golf courses in the area. At present there are now several disc golf courses nearby.
The public users of Blackwood Farm Park have only recently become aware of plans to disturb the conservation area on and near the entirety of Alice’s Trail. We are strongly opposed to construction of a disc golf course in Blackwood Farm Park, and we respectfully request that you direct DEAPR to move the disc golf course to another Orange County facility.
We are aware that the disc golf course has been a part of the Park’s master plan for years and was approved in the 2025 Orange County budget. However, until recently the presentation of this plan to the public has been woefully misleading: The depiction of the disc golf course on the revised master plan shows the course comprising one field adjacent to Interstate 40, and only one field adjacent to I 40. Such minimal disturbance would be acceptable to Blackwood Farm Park’s frequent visitors.
Now it’s been revealed (by placement of PVC pipes delineating the proposed course) that, instead, the course impacts 1/3 of the entire Park on and near Alice’s Trail.
While we don’t believe that this misrepresentation was done with malicious intent, it is a significant misrepresentation and it has led the public to accept what we thought would be a minimal impact on the Park.
We are strong supporters of both the recreation mission and the conservation mission of the Park. We greatly enjoy our walks on the undisturbed trails through the natural ecosystems of the Park.
Cutting hundreds of yards of path through the forest, thereby increasing development of a now conserved area, will result in adverse effects on the Park’s environmental health — namely, degraded water quality and adverse effects on the aquatic ecosystem and wildlife habitat.
Two children’s camps that contract with Blackwood Farm Park have indicated they cannot continue to hold camps in the park if the disc golf course is installed causing disturbance to local hydrology and ecology. This will deprive many children of the opportunity to experience the natural environment of Blackwood Farm Park and would deprive Blackwood Farm Park of revenue from the camps.
When the master plan was revised to include the disc golf course, there were no disc golf courses in the area. At present there are now several disc golf courses nearby.
The public users of Blackwood Farm Park have only recently become aware of plans to disturb the conservation area on and near the entirety of Alice’s Trail. We are strongly opposed to construction of a disc golf course in Blackwood Farm Park, and we respectfully request that you direct DEAPR to move the disc golf course to another Orange County facility.
Signatures collected yesterday on a paper petition are attached; originals will be delivered to the County Commissioners' clerk. Please be aware that an electronic petition is pending.
Respectfully,
Jo Leslie Eimers
Joni White
Jean Hamilton
Mar 30, 2026, 5:17:47 PM (2 days ago) Mar 30
to Jo Eimers, ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK, David Stancil, Keith Barnhardt
Dear Jo Eimers and Joni White,
On behalf of the Orange County Board of Commissioners thank you for sharing your concerns about the proposed Blackwood Farm Park disc golf course. We will be seeking more information about this issue from staff.
Sincerely,
Jean
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners
From: Jo Eimers <joles...@gmail.com>
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2026 9:32 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: David Stancil <dsta...@orangecountync.gov>; Keith Barnhardt <kbarn...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Request to move proposed disk golf course from Blackwood Farm Park
Sent: Friday, March 27, 2026 9:32 AM
To: ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK <OCB...@orangecountync.gov>
Cc: David Stancil <dsta...@orangecountync.gov>; Keith Barnhardt <kbarn...@orangecountync.gov>
Subject: Request to move proposed disk golf course from Blackwood Farm Park
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Jo Eimers
Mar 30, 2026, 6:12:19 PM (2 days ago) Mar 30
to Jean Hamilton, ALL_BOCC_MANAGER_CLERK, David Stancil, Keith Barnhardt
Dear Commissioner Hamilton,
Thank you for your response to my email. For your information, here is a link to the petition, which is now available online.
Best regards,
Jo Leslie Eimers (Jody)
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