By WIN GRUENING

This week, over the strident protests of some trail users, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee wisely approved a temporary pitch-and-putt 9-hole disc golf course at the Treadwell Mine Historic Site in Douglas. This approval would add another much-needed outdoor recreation venue for local residents.

Disc golf is a sport in which players throw a disc (similar to a Frisbee) at a target, or basket, using rules similar to golf. Most disc golf courses are built in more natural and less manicured environments than a regular golf course and require minimal maintenance while incorporating safety in their design.

The project would be located near existing walking trails, so it initially generated some concern among trail users worried about hiker safety.  However, the Juneau Disc Golf Club, the project sponsors, have been responsive in addressing concerns through re-design and re-locating holes.

Two of Juneau’s most enduring qualities are its access to outdoor recreational opportunities and its commitment to shared, mix use of its public resources. The City and Borough of Juneau Assembly, city staff, school district, and a whole host of non-profits and volunteers deserve credit for championing and developing diverse recreational activities.  They all play a vital role in the health and well-being of our youth and families.

A recent City Journal article citing an Aspen Institute survey on youth sports revealed that 45 percent of American parents saw a reduction in local community programs and sports teams during the pandemic. Significantly, 28 percent indicated their kids had lost interest in organized sports.

This has resulted in rising obesity rates and levels of depression. During the pandemic, Juneau, in particular, saw an…