Newfield Community Park already has the ability to play host to a number of activities.

Fishing. Exercising. Picnics. Skating. Concerts.

The park has a place for all that and more.

And it’s about to add to its list.

Disc golf. Fundraising efforts and preliminary work has begun on a joint project that will bring an 18-hole disc golf course to the park and the adjoining area.

The project is a cooperative effort between the City of Kingfisher, Kingfisher Trails, the Oklahoma Tobacco Endowment Trust (TSET) and the Fit & Festive Fun Run as well as private donors.

Once completed, nine of the holes will be in Newfield Community Park between Robberts Avenue and Broadway Avenue.

The other nine will be south of Broadway Avenue and will stretch to just south of Don Blanding Avenue.

It will be as far east as Eighth Street and go as far west as 13th Street.

“There are individuals who are ready to take the lead in organizing disc golf events locally,” John Gooden, chairman of Kingfisher Trails and project manager for Newfield Community Park, said in a recent proposal.

“Also, there are many disc golfers from out of town who will be drawn to use this course.”

According to a survey, locals will be ready to use it as well.

Gooden said 40.2% of respondents from Kingfisher in a recent survey “indicated an interest in playing disc golf, were the facilities available.” Count Ben Yost among those people.

“Any time I get the chance, I like to get out and play. It’s one of those things you don’t have to be particularly good at to have a good time,” Yost said.

“And I’d have the opportunity to do more of it if there was something closer.”

So Yost was among those who has worked closely with Gooden, City Manager Jim Thomas and others to put some legs under the project.

In making a previous grant proposal for the project, the Trails received support from the city commission.

Since then, Thomas has approved the proposed layout of the course.

As always, money is one of the largest hurdles.

Fortunately, a quality disc golf course can be constructed for less than $20,000.

Yost took the lead in soliciting funds from local businesses and groups, allowing a hole sponsorship for $1,000.

Through his early efforts, about two-thirds of the holes have been sponsored.

Each hole will have a powder-coated sign - cut locally - that illustrates the layout and information for that particular hole. It will also boast that hole’s sponsor.

Also in use will be topgrade commercial baskets (which is what golfers are aiming for with their discs on each hole).

Throwing pads will consist of concrete and the basket poles will be surrounded by a ring of concrete, which will allow for mowing, but not require trimming, Gooden said in his proposal.

Yost said the group is receiving a discount on the baskets in exchange for picking them up in Kansas instead of having them delivered.

There will also be a kiosk at the beginning of the course (near Admire Avenue and Eighth Street) that will feature a map of the entire course, rules, regulations and guidelines, plus other information.

TSET has committed to providing funding for that kiosk, Yost said.

Money has also been raised through other efforts. Yost, who owns Sunrise Cafe, has organized the “Fit & Festive” 5K and one-mile fun run held in Kingfisher the last few years. The run is designed to not only get people active, but also support local activities. Last year’s run helped raise funds for the course. Kingfisher Trails also made it a priority for its year-end fundraising drive. That puts the project close to a reality. Yost has already been out staking spots for concrete and he said he hopes the course is ready for play by September. The fundraising will continue in the meantime. He said anything raised beyond what the budget calls for will go to course improvements such as benches, trash cans, dog waste receptacles, etc. As for the course itself, it was produced locally by Gooden, Yost and another local enthusiast, Grant Curtis.

They received professional input from Brett Yackeschi of Silverback Productions.

A ranked member of the Professional Disc Golf Association, Yackeschi’s Silverback Productions has provided input on other courses.

Gooden said he offered a lot of advice for the layout.

The layout for regular play will be about 6,500 feet for the 18 holes. However, said Yost, Yackeschi provided some suggestions that will allow it to be stretched to a more challenging 7,000 to 7,200 feet if and when the course begins to host tournaments.

The course will begin in Newfield Community Park. Golfers can use the parking area on Admire Avenue.

No streets will be crossed on the nine holes that are inside the park.

However, golfers will cross Broadway (State Highway 33) at a lighted crossing area and some of the holes on the south side of Broadway do cross city streets.

Noted Gooden: “No holes involve throwing toward or close to Broadway, Robberts, Admire or 13th Street.”

There will be cautionary signs for drivers and trail users.

The course will finish up near its beginning back in Newfield Park.

On top of hole sponsorship, organizers are also seeking an interested party to claim naming rights for the entire course.

Anyone interested in seeking more information are encouraged to contact Gooden or Yost.