NASHUA, NH – After two hours of testimony, the Zoning Board of Adjustment voted Tuesday in favor of a wetland special exemption allowing for a proposed 18-hole disc golf course in Roby Park.
Board members Rob Shaw, Jean-Paul Boucher, Efstathia Booras and Joseph Patry voted in favor. Joshua Nehiley was opposed.
The conservation commission voted against the course in December.
“We are one with nature and we’re very low impact, very sustainable,” said Avery Jenkins, a disc golf champion and professional disc golf course designer who designed the proposed course at Roby Park.
Being the only 18-hole course in Nashua, Jenkins said that it would be a huge draw throughout the Northeast.
“Having a course like this is going to generate popularity, it’s going to generate tourism, events and it’s going to engage the community,” he said.
Those who spoke in favor of the application said that the disc golf course will have little to no impact on the wetlands in Roby Park. Many spoke to the character of the disc golf-community, saying how players are very respectful to the environment and others using the space. Others stressed that disc golf is a free accessible activity for all ages, and that the course could be used by the Boys & Girls Club, Nashua PAL and other such organizations.
“I’m thrilled that I’m going to be able to play on the best course in the state two miles from my house,” said Nashua resident, Karen Bill. “There’s no impact except the joy it’s going to bring kids and families and maybe even some of you.”
Those who were opposed to the request felt that Roby Park was not an appropriate place for a disc golf course. It was believed that it would take away from the character of the park as a place of solitude and also negatively impact those living nearby.
There was much concern about harm to the wetland and wildlife, as well as for the lack of bathrooms, increase in traffic, and parking, which some say is already an issue at Roby Park.
Many felt that a 9-hole course would be more appropriate and have less of an impact on the wetland.
“Roby Park is really the gem of Nashua,” a resident said. “To bring a thousand people to our gem that only has two porta-potties and has a maxed out parking lot just doesn’t make sense.”
“Unfortunately for those who don’t want to see this happen, it’s not conservation land,” Boucher said. “The city has every right to develop their land as they see fit.”
While he personally would like to see Roby Park stay the way it is, he said he believed that the applicant met the necessary criteria for the special exception.