SALISBURY – The Conservation Commission recently gave final approval to the proposed years-in-the-making Partridge Brook Park disc golf course.
The 18-hole course will provide an accessible avenue for townspeople to play the free sport, according to Parks and Recreation Administrator Director Jenn Roketenetz.
“It’s definitely one of those fast growing sports, just because it’s so accessible, it’s easy to learn, and everybody knows how to play frisbee. It’s free, so it’s one of those passive things that doesn’t cost anybody any money to go out and play,” she said.
Disc golf, draws similarities to traditional golf as players attempt to throw a flying disc into a basket in as few tries as possible.
Efforts to bring the popular sport to Salisbury began in 2023, with the idea that the activity would bring community members together, Roketenetz said.
“If anybody knows anything about me, I love to bring the community together. And, I think that this project is one of those things that does just that,” she said.
With that in mind, Parks and Recreation partnered with volunteers and disc golf enthusiasts, Greg Rundlett and Joel Nice who designed the free outdoor course.
The course will include baskets shipped from New Zealand, with Salisbury being one of the first communities in the region to feature them.
The project was funded by a $12,500 grant from the Massachusetts Office of Tourism and Travel sponsored by Rep. Dawne Shand, D-Newburyport.
Shand praised Roketenetz for her work on the park despite a fluctuation in the budget.
“Due to budget constraints in 2023, the original earmark for Partridge Brook Park was cut in half. So I want to congratulate Jennifer Roketenetz for finding a way to make a big impact with a small appropriation,” she said.
The grant covered the purchase of the baskets and other materials, but Roketenetz said additional funding through sponsorship will be needed for other parts of the course such as signage and a kiosk.
However, Roketenetz said course materials and installation will come at no cost to taxpayers thanks to volunteer efforts.
“There’s no reliance on taxpayers because we’re using the volunteers and grant funding. So, it’s wonderful. It’s just wonderful for so many different reasons,” she said.
Roketenetz also said the course could entice disc golf enthusiasts from other communities to visit Salisbury.
“There’s lots of software platforms that provide disc golf enthusiasts with where different courses are. And, so people that are really enthusiastic about disc golf travel to check out these courses. So, I think that having these baskets will absolutely put us on the map as a standout feature,” she said.
Now, with the project having recently received final approval, Roketenetz said shovels will hit the ground as soon as weather allows.