Two Texas Master Naturalists are taking an interest in Linden’s City Park Disc Golf course and its restoration after the course was closed due to recent storm damage.

Roger Geiger of Eagle Landing near Avinger and David Gilliland of Jefferson, the master naturalists, have designed a restored course for the park, while Linden parks director Michael Riley and fellow employees have quickly planted new baskets, created new tee box information panels and are getting ready to install the tee pads, where the disc throwing starts.

This time, Linden’s disc golf course will be nine holes instead of 18

“We’re replacing the existing 18-hole course that had been damaged severely with a nine-hole course. Some parts of the park course had been taken up by the new storm drainage channel and pond that is being created at the park. But we’ve used some of the same baskets, and five holes we didn’t even have to move,” Riley said.

Riley added he has fortunately reached out to the master naturalists for help.

“I knew they’d designed and built the disc golf course for the U.S. Corps of Engineers for the lakeside park at Lake o’ the Pines.”

Geiger and Gilliland said their interests in Linden’s park came about because it was local, they’d played it before and thought it an unusually interesting place to play.

“This park is pretty, with hills and trees where you can get good exercise going up and down those slopes,” Geiger said. “It’s got workout stations on its pathways, a concession and volleyball arena, restrooms, picnic tables, benches, children’s play equipment and a covered meeting area.”

A disc golf course adds to thepublic’s use of a park, Gilliland said.

“People of all ages and abilities can play. It’s inexpensive and most courses are free to use.”

Master Naturalist Involvement

Gilliland and Geiger said they intend that the master naturalists will maintain an interest in the development of this park.

“We got into this park’s restoration because we’re master naturalists. We talked to the chapter, and they agreed to help and encourage everyone here because it would be a good project.”

The Texas Master Naturalist’s mission is to develop informed volunteers who will provide education, outreach and service for the management of natural resources and natural areas in Texas communities. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension are sponsors of the master naturalist program.

“Along with the Texas Master Naturalists, we do our volunteer work for the Texas Parks and Wildlife. We get points for our involvement. Our real purpose is to get people outdoors,” Geiger said.

Disc Golf

Linden’s Disc Golf park course is not a difficult course, the two TMN developers said.

“It’s relatively easy, even though the trees are murder, especially on short holes,” the two agreed.

DISC golf has an advantage in that it can be played easily using a cellphone and the app UDisc.com.

“UDisc.com will show all the courses around you if your phone location is turned on,” Gilliland said “It will show you exactly where you are on the course and how to navigate around and even keep your score. No need to have someone back at tournament headquarters doing paperwork.”

The good point is that one can meet with a wide spectrum of fellow players.

“Doctor or young child, they can all play,” Geiger said. “In fact, some of those kids can throw the disc better and farther than I can.”

So many new people have come out to the disc golf game during the pandemic, Gilliland said.

“Thousands of new people,” he said.

Future Park Development

Gilliland and Geiger said they hope the future will bring other developments at the Linden City Park and its course.

“We’ve run into Linden Garden Club members who’ve been walking the path in the park. They said they were so happy to see us involved in bringing the golf course back to life,” Geiger said.

“We agree, and we know we could have a lot to offer the park,” Gilliland said. “We have some real experts in landscaping and native plants. And you have some master naturalists in Linden and a native plant society, too. We hope we master naturalists can partner up with the city, the garden club and others to maintain native plants in the park for the education and enjoyment of all.”