Frisbee golf considered for Liberty Park

Batesville resident Chaz Kaiser “has the great idea of designing a frisbee golf course" at Liberty Park, Batesville Parks and Recreation Board President Bob Fitzpatrick told members Aug. 21.

Fitzpatrick advised Kaiser to draw a layout of the nine-hole course and submit it to Park Commissioner Mike Baumer to bring to a future meeting for the board to consider.

Baumer thought it could be constructed for a reasonable price. He suggested the course could start at Pohlman Street and move toward the tennis courts. It has to avoid soggy, low-lying areas; the middle of the park with its buildings and activities; and the reservoir, where trees will be gradually removed by the Batesville Water & Gas Utility.

Kaiser also offered to find sources to fund it, according to Fitzpatrick. “Baskets run about $400 apiece,” the president reported. “Chaz could probably make the baskets” because he is a metal sculptor, Baumer pointed out.

Mayor Rick Fledderman said, “We're going to have to find ways ... to help offset some of the (park department) expenses that are being incurred" as state funding to the city declines. The city long has charged admittance fees to the Batesville Memorial Pool.

In the last year or so, charges to use baseball and softball fields have ranged from $5 per youth league player to $100 per high school and adult team for each season.

The president maintained, “It's only right that the soccer people have to pay a fee" as well.

The mayor noted Bill Gillespie Soccer Park is under city, not BPRB, jurisdiction. Member Don Karbowski said, “It would make sense” to have the soccer complex overseen by BPRB.

Now street department workers not only mow, but line the soccer fields, Baumer said. If the soccer complex is transferred to the park department, street and park employees would have to work together to maintain the soccer fields, the mayor said.

He encouraged board members to talk to city council members about the advantages of putting the soccer park under BPRB jurisdiction, just as Brum Woods was recently.

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com. To comment on stories, visit batesvilleheraldtribune.com.

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