By Greg Ellison

(May 6, 2021) The Berlin Parks Commission vetted a proposal this week from local disc golf pros Austin Widdowson and Shawn Johnson to install an 18-hole course at Stephen Decatur Park.

Widdowson and Johnson, both members of Eastbound Disc Golf, presented initial plans to enhance Stephen Decatur Park during the commission meeting on Tuesday.

Widdowson told the commission several dozen Berlin residents regularly play the game, which has rules like golf except players throw discs at a target.

“We need it in this area,” he said. “We’re looking to provide a free service to the community.”

Prior to developing their proposal, the disc-golf advocates toured several locations in Berlin with Mayor Zach Tyndall and Councilmember Troy Purnell.

After concluding Heron Park would be cost-prohibitive, and peripheral space at the Northern Worcester Athletic Complex lacked community connectivity, Widdowson said Stephen Decatur Park presented an ideal scenario.

“When we [went] to it, we realized the outer rim of the park is not being utilized,” he said. “The infrastructure currently being used is a small portion of the park.”

Johnson, a Snow Hill native who returned to the area last fall, helped establish a disc golf club at Kinder Farm Park in Millersville, a 288-acre site operated by Anne Arundel County Recreation and Parks.

“We established a 501c3 that had over 100 members the first year,” he said.

Johnson was also a former member of the Mid-Delmarva Disc Golf Alliance.

“The group structure was not well defined,” he said. “The current board of directors and I decided to rebrand as Eastbound Disc Golf.”

Johnson said the group is focused on promoting practices and standards for installing disc-golf courses.

“I’m hoping this will be a test run for disc golf in the area,” he said. “Since covid, it’s been an activity that most people agree is safe.”

Widdowson said course employs tee pads and distanced sticks no more than five feet tall that support chain-link baskets.

“There’s no actual permanent infrastructure,” he said.

Courses are also easy to adapt and reshape if needs arise.

“There is no real extra maintenance after it’s put in,” he said.

Course hole poles would be placed in unobtrusive spots.

“You’ll barely even notice it’s there,” he said. “We’ll also put up signage, ‘Be aware you’re now entering a disc golf area.’”

Widdowson said Stephen Decatur Park would provide sufficient space for two courses, for both beginner and advanced players.

“We’re not asking for anything; we’re hoping to donate this in full,” he said. “Our goal would be to get this breaking ground … this summer.”

Deputy Town Administrator Mary Bohlen said the mayor and Town Council would require a formal agreement to move forward.

“You probably would not get very far with grant funding if you didn’t have a formal agreement in place,” she said. “Typically, they like to know you have permission to be on the property.”

Bohlen said the proposal would be added to the agenda for a mayor and Town Council meeting, possibly later this month.