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Richmond, California: Animals Will Be Killed by Disk Golf Course Installation

Richmond, California: Animals Will Be Killed by Disk Golf Course Installation

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Read update here.

In October of 2020, we told you about the terrible ongoing clearcutting at Hilltop Lake Park, a near-hidden oasis in the bustling city of Richmond, California, and urged you to speak out on behalf of the many species of wild animals who rely on this space for food and habitat. Unfortunately, the fight to protect this park from destruction is far from over — it's now at risk of being turned into a disc golf course!

This 36-acre low-lying park, which can't be seen from most of the roadways surrounding it, offers a peaceful place for nature lovers, bird watchers and dog walkers to enjoy when they need an escape. More importantly, the lake in the center is surrounded by reeds, willows and olive trees, while eucalyptus and pine trees grow outside the circular path and they all exist together to provide vital habitat for wild animals who are otherwise surrounded by an unforgiving urban landscape. Urge the Richmond Recreation & Parks Commission and the Richmond City Council not to let this happen!

It's home to dozens of species of birds, small and large mammals, reptiles, fish and amphibians, who all rely on the park for food and shelter.

While clearcutting and loss of vegetation in the park was already a major concern, a suddenly revealed new plan to turn the park into an 18-hole disc golf course would further damage what little natural habitat remains there.

This course for disc golf, which is played by throwing discs at high speeds into metal baskets, would require installing multiple cement “tees,” baskets and signs, in addition to constructing stairs in some places. Many of these installations would also be put in less than 100 feet from nearby homes, creating a hazard and a nuisance for residents.

Disk golf courses have been associated with soil erosion and compaction, destruction of undergrowth and vegetation, and harm to trees; even small nicks made by discs and other damage can kill them.

When it comes to this project, animals are an afterthought, and so are park users and local residents, who weren't consulted, and will now have to constantly beware of players and high-speed discs flying around which have been known to seriously injure people and spark lawsuits in the past.

The Richmond Recreation & Parks Commission has already had two contentious meetings on this subject and another one will be held on Wednesday, May 5 at 6:00 pm via Zoom, We're urging our local supporters to both attend and speak up at the meeting as well as write to the Commission and the Richmond City Council beforehand to stop this destructive project. There are already multiple other locations nearby for players to enjoy, this park doesn't need to be converted into yet another one.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Read update here.

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