LOCK HAVEN — Lock Haven-owned Peddie Park in nearby Allison Township will have a new recreational opportunity that’s expected to bring in players from outside of the area.

On Monday night, city council approved the development of an 18-hole disc golf course at the park, which currently only houses baseball fields.

The project was spearheaded by the Clinton County Economic Partnership’s Tourism department and the Lumber Heritage Region with assistance from city staff.

City Planner/Interim Manager Abbey Roberts said she, along with Community Life Director Kasey Dumm, CCEP Tourism Director Melissa Dally, met with the Lumber Heritage Region in mid-April to develop proposals for the project to be built in Clinton County.

Of the proposals, one which was Peddie Park and the other Zindel Park in McElhattan, Lumber Heritage Region chose the former for development.

The project is being funded through a grant from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources through Lumber Heritage Region who will lead the development project, with the city and CCEP as equal partners.

Roberts noted the project requires a $16,000 match that will be split between the city and CCEP. She added an in-kind match is eligible and will be utilized.

“We do believe a lot of staff time, volunteer efforts and public works time will eat up that match. We’ll just need to account for that in a specific fund,” she said.

With the acceptance of the award, Roberts said the city and partnership will work with Lumber Heritage Region to design the course, with designer Gary Dropcho. The project must be completed by July 1, 2027.

Holly Komonczi, executive director for the Lumber Heritage Region, attended Monday’s meeting and expressed excitement over the project.

“The cool thing about this is that the person who is designing the course is a championship disc golfer,” she said. “It’s an up-and-coming sport, it’s easy for everybody to play (and) it’s very popular with people traveling and spending a lot of money when they do.”

With Dropcho’s involvement, Komonczi said this will elevate the park and help the city and county see an increase in tourism.

She added it will help with maintenance as well, explaining the grant funding will help remove invasive Japanese knotweed initially from the area.

However, maintenance will be needed afterward, though she’s confident it will be cared for.

“If we were to do something like have non-profits hold a fundraiser or a tournament, we could probably make the money to reinvest back into the property,” she said.

Dropcho attended the meeting via Zoom and offered details into the designs he’s considering.

“I’m excited about the project. Looking at Peddie Park, I think it’s a site that could host an intermediate level 18-hole disc golf course. From my research, there aren’t any other 18-hole courses in the area,” he said, noting there’s the potential of one in Centre Hall being developed.

With its location being near Commonwealth University-Lock Haven — which currently has a disc golf team — and its proximity to the city, Dropcho said it will be great for the community.

He added there would be the potential of tournaments as well.

“I don’t want to overblow the idea of income for it, but over time these disc golf courses sort of spring up a cadre of stewards who adopt the course as their own, who spend time as volunteers to keep the course looking good,” he said.

He added the sport, similar to pickleball, is a lifetime activity for anyone of all skill levels and age, noting it also is inexpensive.

Komonczi jumped in, adding due to its proximity to the river, the Lumber Heritage Region will be placing informational plaques and visuals near the course.

“It’ll make it a little different. You’ll have the opportunity to learn while you’re playing,” she said.

Dropcho said he walked the property and feels he can create a course that can be great for beginners, but offer some challenges for more seasoned players.