Nashua Board of Public Works hastily approved a professional 18-hole disc golf course on the trails at Roby Park on Spit Brook Road. The City failed to survey Nashua residents to gauge interest in a project that will encompass and make stark most of a 40-acre forest containing critical wetlands, prime wildlife habitat and recreational walking, cross country skiing and snowshoeing paths. The course is on hold pending approval by the Nashua Conservation Commission, Planning Department (if it moves from NCC) and the NH Department of Wildlife Services-Wetlands Division. There’s still time to let the Nashua Conservation Commission, Board of Aldermen, and Planning Department hear you say, “No, thank you!”

This project was developed by a special interest group of three, including a DPW employee. Tournaments may host 200 participants. Overflow parking and traffic will create dangerous situations for pedestrians, cyclists, and emergency vehicles.

A risk assessment was not conducted concerning the safety (and liability) of mixing flying discs from “professional” users throwing 40-89 mph up to 400 feet ricocheting off trees AND intersecting pedestrian pathways. Lawsuits stemming from injuries (loss of sight / brain injuries) caused by discs hitting people sharing the “multiuse” recreational spaces cost municipalities millions.

School age children on nature walks, dog walkers, bicyclists, area employees and retirees and abutters have used the forested trails for many years, but will prevented from doing so when disc golf tournaments and “events” are scheduled.