Thinking Through Disc Golf and City Parks

Dear Editor,
    By now, it is generally understood that disc golf is being moved out of Pease Park for environmental reasons. What is unclear is why the city of Austin is trying to relocate those facilities to Roy Guerrero G. Colorado River Park [“No Disc, No Pease,” News, June 18].
    In 2004, after extensive resident input, the Austin City Council adopted a master plan for Roy Guerrero, which included 25 acres to be zoned for housing and general office-mix use. Now the city of Austin Parks and Recreation Department is asking to rezone this property for disc golf facilities. While disc golf facilities are certainly welcome in East Austin, I think we can all agree that affordable housing is a more pressing concern for our community at this time.
    Instead, I would recommend that the Parks Department consider two alternative East Austin locations for new disc golf courses that would not consume 25 acres zoned for housing:
    1) The Boggy Creek Greenbelt/Rosewood Park (this park could benefit from additional amenities and lighting), and
    2) Festival Beach/Town Lake Metro Park (this amenity could forge a stronger connection to the Downtown portion of the Hike and Bike Trail).
    Honestly, with all the public meetings this city likes to host, I am constantly amazed at our ability to miscommunicate and step on toes. Let's bring more disc golf to East Austin without displacing residents or making additional property undevelopable.