Fenner Nature Preschool parents concerned about new disc golf course

LANSING — Plans for the city's first full disc golf course near Fenner Nature Preschool has upset some of the school's parents, who fear the encroachment will take away from their children's learning time outdoors.

When Theo Kost started attending the preschool emphasizing outdoor learning, the four-year-old was thriving.

Now, Sylvia Collis Kost said, after two years at the school on East Mount Hope Avenue and being part of the inaugural class, her son won't have as much fun outside and won't be coming home dirty every day.

"He comes back filthy every day, just from going outside and going on walks, and that’s what kids do," she said. "My kid will have a lifetime of spending time inside and working and going to school. This is the main time he gets to spend outside."

Lansing is planning to build the city's first 18-hole disc golf course at Sycamore Creek this year, said Brett Kaschinske, the city's parks director. It it expected to be completed and open later this summer or by early fall.

Despite some protests, the disc golf course is guaranteed, so the goal now is to figure out how to be good neighbors.

"These two activities (preschool and disc golf) can and will work together," Kaschinske said.

He said the city only has an eight-hole course at Grand Woods Park, 4500 W. Willow Highway, and disc golf is one of the most-demanded activities.

Fenner Nature Center signed a lease with the city several years ago and Fenner could continue to operate on part of the city's 53-acre Sycamore Creek property until 2043, according to the current lease, Kaschinske said.

The preschool is operated under the umbrella of the nonprofit Fenner Conservancy, which also operates the Fenner Nature Center, a 134-acre property with trails and wildlife near the preschool.

Gabriel Biber, who started as executive director of the preschool two weeks ago, said the school with its "extensive waitlist" has been extremely popular with parents because of its focus on nature and experiences outdoors.

He said the lease is for non-exclusive use of the space, which would allow the city to make changes like adding a disc golf course or a nature-focused playground.

"Any proposed use, we want it to be planned to be conducive to both functions," he said.

Kost and other parents said a disc golf course could threaten their school's programming and longevity.

They are upset that the city does not appear willing to compromise on locations or timing of the disc golf course.

Parent Theresa Casey said disc golf courses across the state near schools have restrictions that include hours of operation.

The one being built near the Fenner Nature Center would not have restrictions, Kaschinske said.

The city operates several community centers, where school-age children and community programs coexist, and while many of those are for students older than preschoolers, there will be adult supervision of the preschoolers anyway, Kaschinske said.

"We are not going to limit when people can use the course," he said.

The city can issue blanket restrictions or changes, like closing a particular park a few hours earlier or later, but doing so for a specific activity could raise legal issues, Kaschinske said.

Contact Mike Ellis at mellis@lsj.com or 517-267-0415

This article originally appeared on Lansing State Journal: Lansing preschool parents concerned about new disc golf course next door