Springfield is almost ready to install 18 hole disc golf course in Klutho Park!

[kjheyde]

Just wanted to start giving folks a heads up that there will be a new disc course opening up right downtown in Klutho Park starting at W. 2nd Street and Blvd.  Behind FSCJ.  The City gave permission for the installation but unfortunately didn't have any funds to pay for it so we are raising the money ourselves through individual donations and hole sponsorships.  We are very, very close to having the money to order the 18 baskets from Innova.  If you are interested in finding out more...   please check out our website!  www.springfielddiscgolf.com

It is a public park and it will be free to play!  Everyone is welcome to come and have some fun!

[movedsouth]

great project! Klutho park is such a great asset to the neighborhood and anything to improve it is great!

[danno]

Sweet.

[iloveionia]

Great job!  I think our local kid-friendly programs could benefit from the fitness and team play as well:  Pax Karate on Walnut, Boys and Girls Club on E. 10th, Kennedy Center on Ionia, The Bridge on Pearl/9th Street.
Appreciate the asset this will be to the community and the park. 
Thanks for all your hard work on this!

[Ccinjax]

I sincerely hope the area across Broad/Boulevard street isn't being utilized.  According to JSO, this area is not safe.  I don't know much about disk golf or those who play, but I would not play over there.

[sheclown]

Great news for Springfield and for downtown!! 

[peestandingup]

Just wanted to start giving folks a heads up that there will be a new disc course opening up right downtown in Klutho Park starting at W. 2nd Street and Blvd.  Behind FSCJ.  The City gave permission for the installation but unfortunately didn't have any funds to pay for it so we are raising the money ourselves through individual donations and hole sponsorships.  We are very, very close to having the money to order the 18 baskets from Innova.  If you are interested in finding out more...   please check out our website!  www.springfielddiscgolf.com

It is a public park and it will be free to play!  Everyone is welcome to come and have some fun!

The city doesn't have funds because they don't care about this park, even for general maintenance.

I'm not trying to be a party pooper & this is good news, but haven't you guys noticed the major fire ant infestation in this very area you're talking about?? They're swarming everywhere you look. So wouldn't the money best be used to get the park in some kind of decent shape first??

Again, not trying to be a bummer, but its a real problem. No one's going to play disc golf if they're being eaten by blood thirsty ants. Its the worst of any park I've ever seen.

[Ccinjax]

The only thing that will keep you safe over there is an armed escort!!!  Good luck and be sure to arm yourself heavily!  If JSO says it isn't a safe area then I wouldnt take the chance!!!

I can't believe the city would agree to allow this!!!

I sincerely hope the area across Broad/Boulevard street isn't being utilized.  According to JSO, this area is not safe.  I don't know much about disk golf or those who play, but I would not play over there.

Well thats how an area becomes safe.  When positive use starts happening in a place it pushes away the negative.  Thanks for giving an even better reason to utilize the area, but if Springfielders took to heart the opinion of random cops on 'safety', then there wouldnt be any beautiful parts of the neighborhood at all.

I would avoid the Town Center parking lot, if I were worried about safety, btw.

Its much more dangerous.

[iloveionia]

Those blood thristy ants are everywhere in Florida.  EVERYWHERE!

Since arriving and living part-time in Jax since 2007, I've learned that Jacksonville is not very progressive (surprise) as compared to other large cities of its size.  A lack of downtown revitalization and vibrancy stifles any growth: disc golf in the park will bring new folks into our hood.  "If you build it they will come."  Those serious golf folk with teams who participate in tournaments.  Cool stuff.

Sometimes I am glad folks think Springfield is such a scary and unsafe place.  That way, those of us that live there can keep it all to ourselves.  LOL.  Some of my best adventures in travel have come from visiting "scary" places.  One of my favorites was venturing into the Bronx before a Yankees game and picking up homemade dinner in one of the local deli/liquor stores.  There are places in East Los Angeles that have the BEST eateries that I'm sure most outside of its hood would not dare venture into.  You miss out.  I don't like missing out.  Life is too short!

And Stephen is right: positive use pushes away negative. 

[Ccinjax]

Never said Springfield was scary.  Just that area that isnt used by the upstanding citizens of Springfield.

Good luck... 

[iloveionia]

You described that area as "scary" and needing an armed escort.  It is these perceptions that stifle growth.  But it is all good.  There are plenty of areas in Jacksonville and other cities I would not venture into if I was not familiar either.  No need to be naiive and put yourself (myself) into a situaton that could cause harm. It cost the city nothing (to my knowledge) just the parks giving it a nod of approval.  Talk about initiative on the part of a Springfield resident and other interested golf folk! 

Springfield is not a neighorhood for everyone.  Downtown is not for everyone.  There are indeed issues, no doubt; many of the negative ones I would love to see move to positive attibutes of our city.  However, the forsight to bring disc golf to a magnificent park in Springfield and on the edge of downtown is to be commended.  Personally, my experience of Springfield and the downtown area is one of peace.  Peace and quiet, pleasant and kind people: from all socio-economic backgrounds.  In life, it (Springfield) has been one of my true serendipitious finds. 

[peestandingup]

Those blood thristy ants are everywhere in Florida.  EVERYWHERE!

Not..like..this. I dare anyone to stand on the outer parameter on Boulevard between 2nd & 3rd streets & see how long they last. My guess is 30 seconds to a minute before they get you.

Look, I'm all for improvements like disc golf & stuff like that, but there's bigger fish to fry IMO. I think there's a reason why this park is generally deserted, and maintenance probably has a lot to do with it. Safety could be another, but I've never noticed anything unsafe over there. But I've sure as hell noticed the unkempt look, the sludge in the fountain & the ants gnawing on my legs.

All I'm saying is, don't be surprised if no one uses this course because of the unaddressed issues. I'll leave it at that.

[iloveionia]

Peeing:
Sounds like someone could make an Alfred Hitchcock type film:  FIREANTS
Reminiscent of THE BIRDS.
Top it off with a sequel similar to Agatha Christie's AND THEN THERE WERE NONE using the same title, NONE of course referring to the people eaten by the fireants.  LOL. 

I will agree Jax is not good at upkeep.  But I will bet (but I'm broke) that the disc golf folks will play a part in park upkeep in that area.  Just my thought.

[InnerCityPressure]

I teach over at the Bridge.  I will definitely be walking my kids over to partake in this experience.  It's amazing how small outings like this can broaden a kid's mind and change his or her trajectory.  I'm excited about yet another Springfield addition.  Kind of jealous it's not at Willowbranch or Riverside Park

[sheclown]

This is the perfect location for it.  It will bring new and positive life to that section of Springfield.  It will help downtown.  It is a great thing.

You have to be adventurous to do anything of substance.  Setting up this place is a wonderful idea.

Think of what folks said about the dog park before it opened!  Not the best section of Springfield either and now the dog park attracts folks from all over the city.