Dozens of residents spoke out about the future of Big Rock Park at the Pella City Council meeting Tuesday.

An audience of close to 70 had approximately 30 residents speak about proposed disc golf courses and mountain bike trails, and how they impact the natural ecosystem of the park gifted to the city by Pete and Lucille Kuyper in 1958. Many residents living near the park and patrons from throughout the community had concerns of the disc golf course and what it would do to the current natural state of the site. There was also frustration from residents about how they would have rather voiced their opinion before construction started on the project.

According to City Administrator Mike Nardini, the disc golf course was approved by the Pella Community Services Board in 2017 and already has 10 of 18 holes constructed. Members of the Pella Disc Golf Club, Red Rock Mountain Bike group, and other residents, supported the benefits of the recreational use and the traffic it could bring to Big Rock Park — listed as a priority for the community services department.

Following the open forum at the end of the regular meeting, the Pella City Council discussed their options going forward at Policy and Planning, which primarily focused on disc golf. Council shared their opinions as well, with a lot of division as to how to proceed. While some support having a course, there were several concerns raised as it relates to safety for walkers, accommodation of large crowds for tournaments — especially with limited parking and no restrooms, and impact on nearby neighbors. Ultimately, council decided to keep 10 holes in place for now, with future construction under suspension until further studies and community discussions can be done, with further action coming in the late summer.