This week, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee wisely approved a temporary pitch-and-putt nine-hole disc golf course in the Treadwell Mine Historic Park 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 will be located near existing walking trails, so it has generated some concern among residents worried about trail users’ safety. However, the Juneau Disc Golf Club, the project’s 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. Our local 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 unprecedented number of young people experiencing high levels of stress, thoughts of self-harm and…