Parks & Recreation Completes Disc Golf Tee Pad Project
By Jayson Woods, Communications Specialist, Communications Department
Reputation is earned, not granted. With that in mind, the Orange County Parks & Recreation Department is extremely proud of the way participants speak about our disc golf course. Even with nearby courses recognized for their difficulty and technical challenge, the care and attention our course receives sets it apart and makes it a destination for both residents and visitors. Along with weekly maintenance, the Department also works to make regular improvements to the course to make it even better. Since its launch, a lingering goal has remained in the back of the minds of staff: to install permanent tee pads at each of the course ’ s eighteen (18) holes. This improvement would drastically increase playability, especially during periods of consistent rain. It would also eliminate our habit of rotating tee box locations to find solid ground and allow grass regrowth. We began in the spring with the installation of four (4) pads with the help of the Central Virginia Regional Jail Workforce. With the holiday season approaching at the end of last year, staff finally had the opportunity to focus their efforts and finish the project. The concept is decidedly straightforward. Build a box, fill it with some form of substrate, and cover it with artificial turf. However, staff wanted to make sure that the quality of the tee pads was in keeping with the course ’ s excellent reputation. That being the case, each frame was built to exceed industry specifications. It was then meticulously placed in its location after thoughtful removal of only necessary sections of grass. Once placed, each box required careful adjustment to achieve a predominantly level throwing surface that maintained the play of the hole and still allowed for proper drainage. This “ leveling ” was one of the most painstaking components of the whole operation. The next step was made much easier courtesy of local supporters. The Town of Orange provided three (3) dump truck loads ’ worth of millings to utilize as substrate. This material is ideal because it is workable with hand tools yet compacts to a surface with the proper firmness. Furthermore, course sponsor, Piedmont Power, loaned us the use of a skid steer to save us hours of backbreaking work loading, moving, and dumping the substrate. With millings in the box, it was back to shovels and rakes to sort out larger chunks and form a neat crown (raised center). Once that took shape, staff used a motorized compactor, worked in a pattern on the surface, to fully seat any loose rocks and create a smooth topping on which to lay the turf. The turf was stretched over the entire box, then screwed to the outside. To maintain consistent pressure against the turf, additional thin boards were screwed around the entire perimeter of the main tee pad frame. Once dirt and sod are put back in place around the box, we considered that tee pad complete and moved on to the next one! Staff became very proficient at the task, and even finished four tee pads in one day without sacrificing quality. Orange County Parks & Recreation hopes that this improvement will help further the mission of the course itself, to provide a high quality and free recreational opportunity to our citizens and visitors. If you haven ’ t tried the course, you should really check it out. It ’ s located at 14111 Litchfield Drive, Orange, inside the Lee Industrial Park. Call the Department at (540) 672 - 5435 for information about loaner discs, so you can give it a shot without even spending a penny on equipment!
Page 21 | January, 2022
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