A disc-golf player at the Stafford Woods disc-golf course.
A plan to save the popular Stafford Woods disc-golf course in Voorhees by altering its construction to more closely align with New Jersey regulations was sent to state agencies by Voorhees Township in late June.
The Township proposes to make changes to the volunteer-built golf course and its Stafford Woods park on Evesham Road to overcome a state order that would have required dismantling the course if Voorhees wanted to continue receiving New Jersey conservation funding.
Disc golf has grown in popularity, with competition and tournaments nationally, and the 12-year-old Stafford Woods course often has been called the top course in New Jersey. An online petition drive started last August to save the course now has more than 25,000 signatures.
A sketch from the 1977 patent for a "flying disc entrapment device" by inventors Edward E. Headrick and his son, Kenneth A. Headrick.
Origins of disc golf have been debated, but the sport started becoming popular with the wide use of the Frisbee disc in the 1960s and began to be formalized with a patent awarded to Frisbee inventor Edward E. Headrick and his son, Kenneth A. Headrick, in 1977 for a "flying disc entrapment device" that looks the same as used on disc-golf courses today with chains hanging over a basket, according to information on the Professional Disc Golf Association site. Discs used in the golf game now have evolved beyond the Frisbee and are specialized, including color-coded "drivers" and "putters."
Stephen J. Steglik, Voorhees township administrator, told 70and73.com this week that the proposal to the state was crafted after working with disc-golf community leaders; Bill Green, owner of the neighboring Saddlehill winery; state Assembly Majority Leader Louis D. Greenwald of Voorhees and state Assemblywoman Pamela R. Lampitt of Cherry Hill. Engineering firm Environmental Resolutions Inc. put together the plan for Voorhees.
An inspection of the protected Stafford Woods park had resulted in the state warning Voorhees that the disc-golf course was not a permitted use on part of the property and needed to be removed because the sport was not considered "passive recreation."
Failure to correct the issue "may render the Township ineligible" to receive future funding from the state conservation program, according to the April 4 letter to the Township signed by David E. Zimmer, executive director of the New Jersey Infrastructure Bank and Patricia Gardner, assistant commissioner of water resources management for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.
The Township's June 20 counterproposal to one made by the Infrastructure Bank requires approval by the state agencies and is not final, Steglik said.
Environmental Resolutions Inc. inspected the course with disc-golf community members who developed and maintain the course, according to the proposal.
One concern was the number of trees cleared by the disc-golf volunteers to build the course.
"These members identified trees that died from natural causes, those that fell due to specific storms and weather events, trees that posed safety hazards, as well as live trees that were cut for disc golf fairway clearing," ERI stated in the proposal.
ERI said it identified 90 removed trees in need of replacement: 64 had been identified as dead and 26 had been alive.
Under the proposal, the Township says it would plant 50 trees along the property line to establish a buffer and restore the tree line. The state had requested signs noting the site as a "No Clearing Zone" and the Township said it would erect those signs.
Damage to tree bark from discs would be mitigated by installing protective burlap wraps on trees near the fairways and "those frequently impacted by stray discs."
The eight-page plan includes removing impervious coverage, such as paving, that had been installed when the disc-golf course had been built. The first section, built as nine holes, opened in 2012 and it was expanded by volunteers to 18 holes in 2014.
Golf baskets in Stafford Woods now are anchored in concrete and the Township proposes to remove the concrete and anchor them with a screw-type auger.
Stone seating walls would be removed in favor of "dead, fallen trees to create natural seating areas for park users," according to the proposal. Pavers at the golf tees would be pulled and a permeable tee box system installed at each tee.
Portable toilets, picnic areas and a storage container on the course would be relocated from the state-protected land to the gravel parking lot, the Voorhees proposal states.
Part of the plan would be to more clearly delineate the disc-golf course itself and the original Stafford Walking Trail, which was specified in the deed for the property.
The walking trail goes through several sections of the disc-golf course, according to a map provided with the proposal.
Another issue along the golf course is soil compaction by disc-golf users and walkers. The Township proposed spreading wood chips to reduce compaction and more clearly show the path of the golf course.
"To further delineate the intended (trail) walking path, wood chips are placed along the path to mitigate compaction due to foot traffic. The Township respectfully requests to continue to implement this practice, with close attention to ensuring the original Stafford Walking Trail is the trail that is clearly defined," the proposal states.
Dead trees have been placed on the outer edges of the golf course fairways to show the course boundaries and direct those walking along the course, according to the proposal.
Because the course is so popular, an estimated 20 tournaments are held at the Stafford Woods course each year, according to the proposal. The Township intends to limit tournaments to eight a year.
"To manage this usage, the Township has discussed the development of a Township-sponsored Disc Golf Association, which would require permits to utilize the facilities for large events," the proposal states.
The disc-golf course in the Stafford Woods park in Voorhees, with Evesham Road on the left and the Saddlehill winery at the bottom. Pro tee boxes are in yellow and novice tee boxes are in white. The Stafford Trail is the black line.
Stafford Woods park was saved as open space in the sale of the former Stafford Farm with the balance of the Stafford land preserved permanently for agricultural uses. Green's Saddlehill winery purchased the 70-acre, 248-year-old farm for $900,000 in 2021.
"One of the most immaculate and phenomenal courses I've ever played. This place was made to enjoy the game of disc golf. The town better not touch it in any way," one disc golfer wrote in June in a five-star review of the course on the UDisc site for disc golfers.
Another disc golfer in April who gave the course a five-star rating described the features of the course and wrote of "Stafford's reputation as the #1 course in New Jersey."
Previous 70and73.com coverage
- State orders Voorhees to remove popular Stafford Woods disc golf course from restricted land.
- Disc golfers, Saddlehill agree to work together on issues with Voorhees Stafford Woods golf course.
- Voorhees Township vows to work with state, others to avoid shutting down popular disc golf course.
- Controversial Decision: Popular Voorhees disc golf course on Township property to be closed by state.
