A grassroots group is challenging work being done in preparation for a disc golf course at Timber Creek Park.
The group contends the clearing of trees to make way for the disc golf course is threatening plants and wildlife in the 130-acre Camden County-owned park.
Broadmoor residents Chris and Joanne Schillizzi discovered dozens of trees had been cut down in the woods at Timber Creek Park on Sept. 22.
"They're cutting huge swaths through the woods," Chris Schillizzi said.
The Schillizzis, joined by Jan Pijpelink and Joanne Talahatu, have since launched a Facebook page—Save Timber Creek Park—in protest of the tree-clearing activity and distributed fliers attempting to rally like-minded area residents.
The Facebook page had garnered 112 "likes" as of 10 p.m. Wednesday.
"We're just a few people who are saying, 'We can't let this happen,'" Chris Schillizzi said.
The group estimates that four to five dozen trees of about 4-6 inches in diameter had been cut down, in addition to brush, through Tuesday afternoon.
County officials announced in late July that a disc golf course would be constructed in the park, which is located off Chews Landing Road near Somerdale Road. The county hopes to have the course open this fall.
"There's a constituency here that wants to have and use a disc golf course," county spokesman Dan Keashen said.
Disc golf features individual players who toss discs at targets. According to the Professional Disc Golf Association, disc golf shares with traditional golf the objective of completing each hole in the fewest number of throws.
Chris Schillizzi told Patch he wasn't thrilled with the idea when he first learned of it, but was OK with it so long as it didn't require any clearing of trees or other vegetation. That the park's grounds remain in their natural state, except for the former Slim's Ranch field, was a key part of the planning process for the area back in 2005, he argues.
Camden County officials acknowledge trees and brush are being cleared to make way for the disc golf course.
"There are some trees coming down," Keashen said. "This is true."
Keashen noted the trees are "young, not matured, trees," putting their size at about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. He also indicated the county will plant two trees in the park for every one that is taken down.
"We're not clear-cutting any portion of the park," he said. "There are no bulldozers lined up."
Keashen says there will not be greens fees for use of the disc golf course. He added that while the course may serve as an economic engine for the surrounding area, the only fees the county will collect for the course's use will be for large tournaments.
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<http://www.discgolf.com/disc-golf-course-design/benefits-of-disc-golf/> <http://www.innovadiscs.com/media/PDF/course_brochure_2010_web.pdf>
He wanted me to bet me $50 that larger trees were cut down - I refused and asked to be shown around. He then condemned my integrity that I would not post what I saw. SO here I am. He did show me 2 trees that seemed to be 6-7" trunks that were cut. Those were 'swamp maples' (common name) that grow extremely fast and can choke out stronger more durable tree species such as oak, hickory and . Chris and his wife argued with me about what the trees are called and yelled more when I stated they grow like weeds. They yelled at everything (including each other) for that matter. Despite asking multiple times to be shown the damaged flowers, they would not, refused over and over. I just want to clean up the debris and know where to avoid in the future so those flowers have a chance next year, they refused again and again. Some environmental protector he is! I am iuncredibly turned off by this man, his demeanor, and arrogant attiude. If he would've been slightly polite, I might have gotten him and his wife to show me something - but I just got yelled at for 10 minutes and told to leave. WOW, how helpful.
First of all Chris did not delete anything, I did. You obviously do not know what the Facebook page is about. Let me explain it again. We are not against disc golf, not at all. We are against tree cutting because of the installation of a course when there is one in Stafford Woods less than 5 miles away. The Facebook page is about that and only that and not intended to advertise the promotion of disc golf. It is about preservation of the park as promised by the county. That is why all comments about why there should be a course are deleted.
If you are only opposed to the cutting down of trees, then please explain to me why there was ZERO opposition to the cutting down of trees to make room for the dog park fence, the wide path to access the dog park, and the playground???? If you were sincerely concerned about the trees wouldn't you have taken the same stance/ position on those projects as you have against this one. It seems like your concern for a couple of small trees has risen out of your own special interests. Please take the time to visit other parks with disc golf courses to see with your own eyes how there is zero negative environmental impact from disc golf.
If you are only opposed to the cutting down of trees, then please explain to me why there was ZERO opposition to the cutting down of trees to make room for the dog park fence, the wide path to access the dog park, and the playground???? If you were sincerely concerned about the trees wouldn't you have taken the same stance/ position on those projects as you have against this one. It seems like your concern for a couple of small trees has risen out of your own special interests. Please take the time to visit other parks with disc golf courses to see with your own eyes how there is zero negative environmental impact from disc golf. Hi Ron, There was a lot of resistance to the dog park. We (me included) have been at many public meetings with the county to discuss this. The county insisted to have a dog park installed because they did not allow off leash dogs in the woods. So Chris and I walked through the woods with the contractor who was hired by the county to select a location were there was not too much damage done to the surroundings.
As reported in the Courier Post on October 4th, " Trees were removed for Timber Creek’s popular dog park without incident in 2010 and there was no opposition when the county built a bridge for high school cross-country meets." The fact remains the same, THERE WERE TREES CUT DOWN TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DOG PARK FENCE, THE PATH LEADING TO THE DOG PARK & THE PLAYGROUND & THE BRIDGE. If you are going to play the environmental card you need to make sure you are consistent. You can't use it when you oppose something and not use it when you are for something. Whether you walked the park with a contractor or not, the FACT remains the same........ TREES WERE REMOVED TO MAKE WAY FOR THE DOG PARK FENCE, THE PATH THAT LEADS TO THE DOG PARK, THE PLAYGROUND & THE BRIDGE. Please explain to all of us the REAL reason you and Chris are so opposed to the disc golf course, because it clearly is not about the trees.
P.S. The disc golf course was already approved and money has been allocated & spent.