Tim Dombrosky wore a different hat Tuesday when he appeared before the Warsaw Parks and Recreation Board. Dombrosky, assistant city planner, appeared as a disc golf enthusiast.

Dombrosky, George Blessing, and several enthusiasts were present to ask the board to consider having a disc golf course installed at Lucerne Park. It was noted the 40 something year old sport was played at Little Bighorn until its closing. The only other course is at Harrison Elementary or outside the community. An informal group has been formed with 35 members thus far.

“Lucerne is an under valued property,” stated Dombrosky, adding with this investment it would make it a better place with room for a lot of growth. “It’s under utilized,” he said. While Harrison is also a great location, it is across 30 and not easy to access by bicyclist or walkers.

Family entertainment, an inexpensive sport, provides healthy exercise and a sport which can be played at each person’s own pace were noted.

Well prepared, the group presented information on how the sport has grown, provided a video of the sport being played in Lucerne Park with portable baskets, there would be no increase in insurance costs to the department and potential ways to fund the purchase of equipment.

Dombrosky presented a preliminary drawing of a proposed a 18-hole course on the park. The course would be done in two phases, the first nine, followed by the second nine at a later time. The first hole would start near the playground entrance, go down the access street, with the ninth hole ending north of the center. The course could also go through the wetland area, not being utilized. “There are 12 acres of unused space, with no permanent structures,” he stated.

The proposed course is aligned facing away from cabins and private property adjacent to the park. It was also noted it is “common courtesy” for the players to yield to non-disc golf players. “Park users would have the right of way,” he stated, noting if there was an event at the amphitheater, play would be adjusted to avoid that area until it was not in use.

Unlike regular golf, where holes are played in sequence, it is not uncommon for players to skip holes and modify the play. Many times the players modify the course on their own.

Larry Plummer, park superintendent, stated he has spoken at length with Dombrosky and this type of activity is in the department’s five-year plan. It was also noted with such an installation there would be no additional work for the park maintenance staff. The baskets (where the discs are aimed to go) can be removable and made of all weather material. The baskets, costing $350 each, and tee signs, ranging from $20 to $100, could be purchased through sponsorships and grants.

No action on the request was taken that evening as several park board members wanted to visually see the proposed course, and look at what other parks departments have done.

During the presentation it was noted numerous parks offer the program, free of charge, sometimes offering rentals of the discs at a small fee. Rum Village, South Bend; several locations in Fort Wayne, Peru, Kokomo were noted as locations.

“Nobody is against the concept,” stated Bill Badwin, president.

The possibility will be discussed at the board’s May 19 meeting in the fireman’s building on East Arthur Street. The meeting starts at 5:15 p.m.