Until further notice, the frisbee disc golf course at Seymour Lake Park is officially closed due to ongoing vandalism, thefts and the rising cost of dealing with it all.
Ed West, maintenance supervisor for the Oxford Township Parks and Recreation Department, estimated that over the last two years approximately $5,000 worth of damage and theft has been done to the 18-hole disc golf course. ‘That includes the man hours required to repair and replace things,? he said. ‘It’s just too expensive.?
Although people come from surrounding areas to play on the course, West noted, ‘It’s the taxpayers of Oxford who pay for repairs and replacements.?
The final straw came last week when someone stole one of the course’s baskets ? concrete base (which was sunk in the ground) and all ? valued at $700.
‘We don’t know how, but they took the whole thing,? said West, adding there were no tire tracks or ‘drag marks? in the ground.
As a result, the course was closed indefinitely yesterday (June 22). West said workers have removed all the baskets and all maintenance and mowing of the course will be discontinued.
‘It’s up to the (parks and recreation) director and commission if and when we ever put it back in,? West said.
Devil’s Ridge Golf Club originally paid for all the course’s tee markers and baskets while the parks and recreation department installed them and made the paths. The course opened in 2002.
Today, only four or five of the 18 tee markers remain, according to West. When the markers aren’t being stolen or broken, they’re spray-painted. Vandals have also busted trash cans and benches along the course.
Broken glass bottles, including those from alcoholic beverages (which are not allowed in the park), have also been a continuing problem as they litter the course, according to West.
Oxford isn’t the only community dealing with vandalism to its disc golf course. West said Rochester is closing its course, while Indpendence Township has hired a staff member to keep a watchful eye on its course.