Greater Cincinnati’s disc golf community rally to protect and restore their beloved disc golf haven amid a series of vandalism incidents
Nestled in the verdant landscape of Covington, Kentucky, the Devou Park Disc Golf Course has become a sanctuary for players and nature enthusiasts alike. Designed by Ryan Freibert, the course officially opened its gates on October 8, 2022. Since its inception, the Devou Park Disc Golf Course has faced numerous challenges, yet the community continues to band together, demonstrating an unwavering spirit of unity and resilience.
Ryan Freibert’s vision for the course began in 2013, when he first set foot in Devou Park. With the support of Covington City Commissioner Ron Washington, the Devou Park Advisory Committee, the City of Covington Parks and Recreation, the Greater Cincinnati Disc Golf Club, and his friend Joey Hood, Freibert embarked on a journey to create a disc golf course that integrated seamlessly into the existing park infrastructure, with minimal environmental impact and optimal safety measures.
During the grand opening, Freibert expressed his gratitude to those who contributed to the creation of the course. He emphasized that the community would play a vital role in maintaining the course and keeping it in pristine condition. Despite the tremendous efforts of those involved, the Devou Park Disc Golf Course has faced a series of unfortunate events.
On October 12, 2022, just four days after the grand opening, the course experienced its first act of vandalism. Many of the Prodigy T2 baskets were stolen, forcing the course to close temporarily. In response to this incident, Joey Hood stated, “Many of the new Prodigy T2 baskets at Devou Park Disc Golf Course have been stolen. The course is closed for now as we work through finding and replacing them, but we need your help. Please contact the Covington Police Department with any information.”
Despite this setback, the community rallied together, repairing the damages and reopening the course. However, on January 12, 2023, the course was vandalized for the second time. The majority of the disc golf baskets were crushed, bent, or ripped out of the ground. Peter Caldwell, a member of the Devou Good Foundation, expressed his disappointment, saying, “Not the kind of publicity we prefer, but hopefully the $2000 reward will get someone talking.”
In the wake of the second act of vandalism, Ryan Freibert, now the president of the Greater Cincinnati Disc Golf Association, launched a fundraising campaign to replace the damaged baskets and fund security measures. The community came together once more, organizing a fundraiser event on March 12th at the Devou Park Golf & Event Center.
Tragically, on April 1, 2023, the course was vandalized for the third time. In response to the repeated attacks on the course he had poured his heart into, Freibert said, “I don’t know what to say at this point. Probably some good putting practice.”
The third act of vandalism shook the community further, as the culprits cut the chains from the baskets, leaving players and course supporters disheartened. As frustrations grew, Ryan Freibert stepped in to quell misplaced blame and ensure the discourse remained focused on finding a solution. In a statement, Freibert said, “I turned off commenting on the previous post because I want to make an explicit statement. Any posts that blame any certain population for these acts of vandalism are not constructive or helpful in any way. We have a lot of people with eyes on our actions and no one should be receiving any heat from the disc golf community. We’re going to catch who’s doing this and we’re gonna finish what we started at Devou. Continue to play the course in protest. Thanks all.” By reiterating the importance of unity and perseverance, Freibert galvanized the community to stand together and continue playing in defiance of the vandals, showing the resilient spirit of the Greater Cincinnati disc golf enthusiasts.
The Devou Park Disc Golf Course has become a symbol of the resilience and determination that define the Greater Cincinnati disc golf community. Despite the heartache caused by these senseless acts of vandalism, the community has chosen to stand together, refusing to let these incidents define them.
The course’s story is one of triumph over adversity, and the power of unity to overcome even the most daunting challenges. From its inception to the present day, the course continues to serve as a testament to the strength and perseverance of the Covington community.
As Ryan Freibert so eloquently stated during the grand opening, “I truly hope you’re enjoying playing the course as much as I have designing it.” Through the trials and tribulations, the Devou Park Disc Golf Course remains a cherished part of the community, a place where dreams and memories intertwine, forging a legacy that will endure for generations to come. As the sun sets on the rolling hills of Devou Park, the course stands as a beacon of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, the indomitable spirit of the Greater Cincinnati disc golf community will prevail. Together, they will rise above adversity, nurturing a sanctuary where nature and sport harmoniously coexist, and where the echoes of laughter and camaraderie will forever resonate among the trees.