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Take that, you thievin’ scoundrels: Disc Golf back at Devou thanks to neighborliness, determination


The 18 “baskets” don’t match, but the Covington Disc Golf Course is put back together, and playable.

Three days after a thief or thieves stole or destroyed most of the course’s brand-new baskets in the middle of the night, the course reopened in Devou Park – thanks to a generous offer from a fellow local government, some begging and borrowing, a trip by truck and trailer, and some in-the-middle-of-the-woods welding.

Parks and Facilities Maintenance Supervisor Brad Schwenke welds a disc golf basket into place. (Photos provided)

Friday’s reopening carried a bit less pomp than the formal opening ceremony just last Saturday, but it was no less welcomed.

“The original course is back in action and ready to be played – in fact, people are already playing it,” reported Jason Roberts, supervisor of the Urban Forestry Division, which includes Devou Park, late this morning.

As angry and discouraged as he was by the theft and vandalism earlier this week, Covington Parks & Rec Manager Ben Oldiges said his spirits were lifted by everything that has happened since.

“We really appreciate the support – it’s incredible how we were able to put this back together so quickly, thanks to all the people who rallied together,” Oldiges said. “So many people reached out and offered to pay for new baskets, and we’re just sorting through all those offers.”

Temporarily, however, the City was able to cobble together 18 baskets to go with the two practice baskets and tees. Here’s where they came from:

• 5 were original and untouched by the thieves.

• 6 came from storage, since Parks & Rec had bought extra, originally hoping to build a 24-hole course.

• And 7 came out of the 8 used baskets lent to the City by the Boone County Parks Department, which has its own course.

Tim Moore touches up the paint on one of the baskets borrowed from Boone County Parks, who came to the rescue.

Oldiges said that Boone County Parks officials reached out with the generous offer, after getting permission from the county administration.

“They’re letting us borrow the baskets for free until we can buy new ones,” he said.

A Covington Public Works crew drove out Thursday to pick up the baskets, then spent the morning installing them. They also welded them into place to make them more secure.
 
Middle-of-the-night theft
Locks holding the original baskets had been secured with professional grade locks that had been cut. While three of the removed baskets had been found in pieces elsewhere in the park, tire tracks, and damaged trees suggested a truck or trucks had been used to cart away the others, which measured about 6-feet tall and 3-feet around.

Covington Police are investigating the theft. The public can call Detective Gregg Andrews with tips at (859) 292-2271.

Already popular

Between Saturday and Tuesday, more than 700 people had played a full round of disc golf on the new course.

“Based on those numbers and the support the City has received in the last couple of days, I’d say this course is going to grow in popularity,” Oldiges said.

See these stories about Disc Golf at Devou:

Thievery in dark of night

Dedication of 18-hole disc golf

Plan for early fall disc golf opening


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