Opening attracts disc golfers from around the region
A multigenerational group of about 60 gathered in the sweltering 90-plus heat of Sunday afternoon to formally dedicate and open Aurora’s second disc golf course — the Merwyn and Betty Davidson Memorial Disc Golf Fitness Trail in Streeter Park. The driving force behind the creation of the nine-hole course along Lincoln Creek, former Aurora resident Harry Eckerson was on hand to lead off the dedication ceremony held at the north end of the swimming pool parking lot near the first tee. Also in attendance were Mayor Marlin Seeman, disc golf players from as far away as Omaha and three of the six children of the Davidsons for whom the course is named.
Eckerson led off the program with a prayer followed by a statement honoring the people who had inspired the course. He spoke of the Davidson’s dedication to youth as evidenced by the founding of the Hamilton County Youth Center, and their work in creating the community skate park at the original disc golf course at Refshauge Park.
“Merwyn and Betty were the epitome of the Optimist creed — Friend of Youth,” Eckerson said.
Eckerson became emotional as he continued with his tribute. “Their example left a significant impact on me and was the driving force behind the creation of this new disc golf course,” he said. “The goal was to create a course that was equal to the service and mentoring that the Davidsons gave to our youth. I hope that the disc golf players and greater Aurora community will enjoy and appreciate the course. Disc golf is a relatively new recreational sport for me and I mostly enjoy the time spent outdoors and beautiful settings and the opportunities for mentoring that take place.”
Eckerson went on to thank various individuals and groups who had contributed to the building of the course, including U.S. Marines veteran Andrew Wood, who is Eckerson’s disc golf playing partner and the course’s designer. He concluded his remarks by saying, “Let’s go play and create moments that matter.”
In his part of the program Seeman noted that the land for Streeter Park was donated by the Streeter family in 1924.
“Since that time, a number of things around you today have been infused into that park that were never dreamt about in the days 100 years ago,” he said, going on to recount that at one time local children carried water up on the banks of the creek to make a mud slide into the creek.
Seeman said at one time the area along the creek was considered a wasteland, but countered: “It is not; it’s a jewel.”
“And so those of you are going to play the game here in a few minutes, remember, you’re treading on land that citizens through the history of Aurora have wanted you to have to share in the joy,” Seeman concluded. “Do well. Play smooth and float it into the basket.”
Shortly after the conclusion of the ceremony, a number of disc golfers from around the region went to do just that. The first to tee off on Hole No. 1 was Dakota Ridpath from Omaha who said he had seen an announcement on a disc golf internet page he follows and had decided with some friends to come down and be among the first to play the course.
Among the first to try the course was also Matt Olson of Lincoln who said he had seen the announcement on the Lincoln Flying Disc Club Facebook page. He said he had played regular golf at Poco Creek that morning and was ready to toss some discs at Streeter Park.
From the moment the dedication ceremony ended the park was abuzz with activity. A food truck from The Leadership Center was set up near one of the park’s picnic pavilions, live music was performed by Paul Siebert and members of several generations of the Davidsons were taking pictures of Hole 4, the Youth Center hole, which they sponsored.
The Davidson’s oldest daughter, Lila Wolf of Aurora, said her parents would be pleased with the recognition of their service to the community and especially its youth. Merwyn Davidson was a pastor who had served the Aurora United Methodist Church at one time and then returned to the community after he retired. Always working with young people, Davidson started the Youth Center in 1995 and was also instrumental in starting the 12th Street Cinema in 1999.
Wolf said she had always been aware of the impact her father had on young people, but until she was contacted by Eckerson about naming the course after her parents, she hadn’t realized how much his mentoring had affected adults like Eckerson as well.
Also in attendance for the opening were Wolf’s sister, Sharon Harthoorn of Norfolk and her brother, Mark Davidson of Lawrence, Kan., as well as other family members.
Seen again between Holes 5 and 6, Ridpath and the other two members of his threesome were positive about the course, saying it provided some interesting challenges and agreeing with Eckerson that it could easily become the site of disc golf tournaments in the future.