County Executive Kicks off Summer Parks Season with Grand Opening of New, Improved Disc Golf Course at Token Creek County Park
May 25, 2012
Joshua Wescott, Office of the County Executive, 608.266.9069 or cell, 608.669.5606
County Executive
Dane County Expands Disc Golf as Popularity of Sport Soars
Dane County Executive Joe Parisi kicked off the summer season for the county’s parks Friday, announcing the grand opening of nine new, highly anticipated disc golf holes at the Vallarta-Ast Disc Golf Course at Token Creek County Park. The expansion offers the public a total of 27 holes to play at the course just in time for Memorial Day weekend.
“The expansion of disc golf in our county parks meets a growing demand for this popular sport in our community,” said Parisi. “Our parks were visited by more than 2 million people last year because we offer so many free or low-cost options for those who want to have a great time outdoors. The Vallarta-Ast disc golf course, and all of our 31 parks are open and ready to be enjoyed all summer long.”
The County Executive added that in addition to the Vallarta-Ast expansion, a new 18 hole disc golf course will open later this summer at the Capital Springs Recreation Area next to Lake Farm County Park.
Over the last five years, player use at the Vallarta-Ast course in Token Creek has increased 35%. The course hosts roughly 36,000 rounds of disc golf per year, and sells an average of 775 annual permits and 2,200 daily permits annually.
“The Vallarta-Ast course is well known as a premier disc golf course and attracts professional players from across the nation and world,” stated Dane County Parks Director Darren Marsh.
The original 18-hole course at Token Creek County Park and the new nine holes opened on Friday were designed by retired professional disc golfer Larry Ast. Ast has been the Token Creek course pro since the facility opened in 2001.
“These new nine holes are more difficult than the original 18 holes, and with new features such as an ‘island hole’ they will be a fun challenge,” said Ast. “I think the disc golf community will really enjoy the expanded course.”
According to Park Commission Chair Bill Lunney, a great deal of credit must be given to Larry Ast, his wife Nell Vallarta-Ast, and their friends, who inspired the Park Commission to consider the development of the first county disc golf course. “They raised thousands of dollars and volunteered countless hours working with park staff for the development of the course,” said Lunney. “They helped spur the growth of this sport in our area.”
“The Madison Area Disc Golf Club is thrilled to see the expansion of disc golf in Dane County Parks,” said Seth Johnson, president of the Madison Area Disc Golf Club. “The additional nine holes at the Vallarta-Ast course at Token Creek, plus the upcoming 18-hole course at Capital Springs, will certainly enhance the county's reputation as a great place to live and/or visit for disc golf and other outdoor recreational activities.”
Link to Token Creek County Park’s Web Page: http://www.countyofdane.com/lwrd/parks/token_creek.aspx
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