The sound of chains rattling on disc golf baskets returned to Campbell’s main campus this week, as the University opened its new disc golf course and improved cross-country trail as part of Homecoming festivities.
The project cleans up and revitalizes outdoor recreation space along one of the branches of Buies Creek, making it safer, more accessible, and more enjoyable for students, faculty, and staff.
“By cleaning up and revitalizing these areas, we are making an investment in the student experience and encouraging students to take advantage of these outdoor spaces,” said Eric Baumann, Director of Campus Recreation. “We want students to have opportunities to stay active, manage stress, enjoy the outdoors, and build meaningful relationships with one another.”
For Charles Robinson (’87), who was part of the project, opening day was personal.
“I’m just tickled that it’s being recognized and appreciated,” said Robinson. “It’s a lot of really nice scenery and topography out there. For the students and faculty and community to get back here and see what it is and also have fun at the same time, it just does my heart good because there was a lot of work that was put into it.”
After months of upkeep and transformation, walking the grounds on opening day was beyond rewarding for Robinson.
Robinson was part of the original design team in 2010 and the latest round of renovations. The trails were built to accommodate an 18-hole disc golf course and also served as a walking trail for students, faculty, staff, and community members.
“When I walk through here, and I see students playing, and I hear the ching of the baskets, that just does my heart really good.”
Robinson knows the land from his own days in the Creek. He was on campus from 1983 to 1987 and first saw the area during an MPE class in 1983, when his class ran the cross-country course past the creek and the old gristmill site. Back then, he said, the space was a rare escape.
“After sitting in a dorm, you want to get outside, at least I did,” said Robinson. “It was just a treat to come out here. But it really wasn’t equipped and set up for us to come.”
The course is now open and blossoming with holistic opportunities for the entire Campbell community.
The Disc Golf and Cross Country Trail is located behind Jim Perry Stadium and Irwin Belk Track and includes more than a mile of walking/running trails and more than a mile of disc golf trails, winding along several creeks and through towering pine trees.
Visit Campus Recreation online to learn more about the new offerings.