By Howard Packowitz

NORMAL – The public is getting its first look at a redesigned disc golf course for Maxwell Park, on Normal’s west side.

It’s part of an $800,000 park renovation, with Normal’s government and the state sharing in the cost.

The original disc golf course was built at Maxwell Park in 2004, but an emerald ash borer infestation destroyed ash trees that served as obstacles for the course.

“Coming here and seeing the course in its current state, I can sympathize with the local disc golfers because they once had a great course that was fun to play and had some obstacles, then the ash borer came through and kind of took away a lot of the fun,” said course designer and Illinois State University graduate Dana Vicich.

Vicich, also a professional disc golfer, is putting in play trees from other parts of the park.

Vicich is designing an 18 hole course for advanced players and smaller six-to-eight hole for beginners. They should be ready for play next spring or summer.

Bloomington has a pair of nine-hole courses at Forrest and PJ Irvin Parks. There’s also a Bloomington-Normal Disc Golf Club with about 50 members.

Howard Packowitz can be reached at [email protected]