Commission advances disc-golf course plans; organizers to pursue nonprofit status and conservation review

The Lakeville Parks Commission voted on Jan. 22 to advance a proposed disc-golf course project to the next steps of volunteer organization, permitting and fundraising.

Organizers described a two-phase plan that would start with nine holes on the park side to minimize tree clearing and later expand to additional holes if feasible. Organizers said they had shared two map options with local officials; Nancy Yates, the conservation commissioner, reviewed the maps and identified a potential issue behind the library where a small pond could affect routing and require a conservation filing.

Project leaders told the commission they plan to mark any trees proposed for removal, keep fairways tight to the tree line, and place signs advising users not to throw toward cars or during baseball games. They also discussed shorter tee pads for novice players and routing to limit conflicts with ball fields.

Organizers said they would pursue forming a 501(c)(3) to accept donations and broaden the group into a ‘‘friends of the parks’’ organization rather than a disc-golf-only nonprofit; that legal and governance work remains pending. Commissioners asked staff to check town rules and whether commission members could serve on a nonprofit board; staff noted potential conflict-of-interest questions and agreed to follow up.

The commission moved and seconded a motion to allow the organizers to continue to the next steps, including volunteer coordination, conservation review, and follow-up with the town administrator and legal counsel. The motion passed.

Next steps: Organizers will coordinate with the conservation commission, finalize maps and tree-marking plans, pursue nonprofit setup or partner with an existing friends-of-parks entity, and provide a timeline for clearing and volunteer work for staff approval.