Montiel Park DGC Reopens!

After a few months of closure, Montiel Park’s disc golf course will re-open for play on Friday, March 7th.  The course has been closed since December while the city worked on improvements to the upper portion of the park.  The main focus of the park remodel was to “reduce environmental impacts in spaces that are more vulnerable to climate changes and temperature increases because of their proximity to urbanized areas like the neighboring SR-78 and I-15 freeways”, according to the city’s website.  A large grant from Caltrans allowed the city to plant trees and ground cover throughout the park and add irrigation that will keep these new plantings alive.  Also of major importance for this project was the addition of significant erosion control measures, including four silt retention ponds along with shaped berms and rock-lined water channels throughout the property.  Last weekend’s heavy rains were an opportune test for the erosion control measures, which passed the test with flying colors!

Kiosk sign for Montiel Park DGC

The disc golf course has given up some space for the addition of an informational garden exhibit (between holes 1 and 9)and additional walking trails.  This should be more than compensated for by the addition of trees, ground cover, steps to hole 3 and tee 9 and other interesting obstacles. Overall this is a big improvement to the park and the course and is a reflection of how well San Marcos embraces our sport.  San Diego Aces club president Allen Risley has worked extensively with city staff and project contractors throughout the planning and construction process, to make sure our oldest free-to-play San Diego County course received an appropriate facelift.  It’s this type of cooperative effort by the San Diego Aces that we hope leads to more courses in the future.

Because of the delicate condition of the new plantings at Montiel Park, we ask you to walk carefully while you play the course for the first few months.  Also, be aware that there may be additional park users drawn to the garden and hiking trails, so play safely and courteously.  

The City of San Marcos is holding a ribbon cutting ceremony on Friday, March 7 at 10am.  There will also be a community tree-planting event from 10a-12p as part of the re-opening.  We encourage local disc golfers to attend and help plant even more trees at Montiel Park.  More information on the event can be found on the city’s website.