Disc golf course not coming to Holiday Beach after ERCA board scraps plans

Over 105 people attended a May 6th public meeting on the matter.

After public outcry against the proposed initiative, the board of directors with the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) has reversed course and decided not to proceed with a disc golf course at Holiday Beach Conservation Area.

The ERCA board voted unanimously to rescind its earlier direction to proceed with the installation of a golf course at Holiday Beach and to “continue dialogue with park users to explore alternate activities consistent with ERCA’s mandate and the Holiday Beach management plan.”

A report from ERCA CAO Tim Byrne that was on last Thursday night’s board meeting agenda noted the disc golf course proposal that was going to be funded by a donor for 100 per cent of the initial projected cost, fell within the Holiday Beach management plan. But when the plan became public, ERCA received “considerable negative community feedback, with a significant portion expressing grave concern or complete opposition to the proposal.”

Byrne pointed out that original plans for an 18-hole disc golf course was modified to a 12-hole course “to minimize any conflict with other established park uses” but the footprint was further modified to a nine-hole course after preliminary consultation with ornithological groups and individuals.

Public outcry against the disc golf course, a sport that involves frisbee-like discs and baskets, mounted via e-mails and social media posts and boiled over at a May 6 open house at the Libro Centre.Much of the crowd was opposed despite disc golf advocates trying to defend their game.

Over 105 people attended that meeting.

A comment card was circulated by ERCA and those, along with e-mails, totalled 183 responses with 71.6 per cent (131 people) opposed and 28.4 per cent (52 people) in favour, according to Byrne’s report.

“At the meeting on May 6, 2025, a ‘Change.org’ petition was presented by an attendee with 1,904 signatures opposed to the disc golf proposal. The petition has since grown to 2,278 signatures,” Byrne stated in his report. “Additionally, it was reported that a demonstration in opposition to the proposed HBCA disc golf was held at a disc golf course operated by the Toronto Region Conservation Authority, indicating the impacts of this proposal were significant and far-reaching.”

ERCA administration halted the proposal based on the negative public feedback and Byrne stated they continue to work with the donor “to find suitable alternative uses for the donated funds at Holiday Beach. Similarly, alternative options for additional recreational activities are being explored at this site to ensure continued financial viability of this conservation area. Discussions are ongoing with existing park users, Holiday Beach Migration Observatory, Tourism Windsor-Essex-Pelee Island, for additional opportunities for revenue generation through such things as garden mazes, botanical/pollinator gardens, eco-tourism and other uses compatible and in compliance with the Holiday Beach Management Plan and in concert with comments put forward by the public.”

ERCA chair Molly Allaire said she was “disheartened” by the direction but will respect public opinion.

“If this is what the public wants, I’ll support this decision,” she said.

Allaire said she regularly visits Holiday Beach and traffic is lower than it has been in previous years. There is the challenge of finding new ways to attract new revenue and visitors to the site.

“It’s such a beautiful park,” said Allaire. 

Allaire noted 70-year-old trees shade the beach among the amenities there.

“It’s gorgeous. It’s a hidden gem,” she said.

The nearby demonstration farm was considered for the disc golf course and that wouldn’t help provide additional revenue or visitors to the site. She wants to see new ways to attract visitors to the park and help raise revenue to sustain the site.

The Amherstburg councillor added the town has considered a disc golf course in other sites, but a lack of mature trees in some parks and the “red tape” and cost hold the project back. According to Allaire, for the town to do the project, it would cost four times as much.

A six-hole disc golf course is in Amherstburg and is located at River Canard Park.

“It’s very successful,” said Allaire. “I know people who use it all the time.”

Disc golf course not coming to Holiday Beach after ERCA board scraps plans

By Ron Giofu