GCF

For Immediate Release Date: November 1, 2011

Pattee Canyon Folf Course Closed for Season

Missoula, MT. – The 18-hole Pattee Canyon folf (frisbee golf) course closed today to provide a rest period to protect soil and vegetation. The course will re-open for the summer on July 1.

The Missoula Ranger District has worked collaboratively in recent years to provide a folfing opportunity at Pattee Canyon and at the same time repair the resource damage that was occurring from roughly 20 years of year round unmanaged folfing, according to district officials. Missoula District Ranger Paul Matter said the Forest Service, and partners such as the Friends of Pattee Canyon, the Garden City Flyers, the Montana Conservation Corps and local folfers teamed up over the last several years to “develop innovative solutions to the resource impacts of folfing at Pattee Canyon.”

Multiple restoration and course improvement project have been completed since 2007 to protect the soil and vegetation while still providing a folfing season. Those actions and improvements helped reverse the downward resource trend seen at the Pattee Canyon folf course over the last two decades. A combination of actions have allowed continued recovery of the area, including: seasonal rest; fencing to allow damaged areas to recover; trail relocation; a foot bridge over a wetland; seeding and mulching; realignment of some holes; addition of three new holes; on-the-ground Forest Service presence and enforcement of regulations; signage, and placement of rubber T pads and removable baskets. A roadside parking area was also eliminated to reduce impacts to neighboring landowners and vehicle encroachment into the driving lanes.

“It’s very satisfying to see how these diverse groups came together to find practical solutions to competing needs and work toward common goals.” said Matter, the Missoula District Ranger.

Missoula Ranger District Acting Resource Staff Officer Al Hilshey said, “The Garden City Flyers make many of these projects happen. Their help has been an important part of the rehab work and ensuring folfing opportunities in the future at the Pattee Canyon folf course.”

According to District Officials, the resource conditions at the folf course are on an upward trend due to the Forest Service determining the capacity of the resource to sustain this use by balancing recreation use with rest, re-vegetation, active management and structural improvements. The District’s goal is to ensure quality recreation experiences in the future at Pattee Canyon for not only folfers, but for hikers, mountain bikers, cross country skiers, picnickers, runners, nature watchers, and the new recreation uses that will develop as the Missoula Valley continues to grow and expand out into the neighboring Lolo National Forest lands. The folf course will re-open on July 1, 2012. The Blue Mountain folf course remains available for winter use.