Lenexa unveils new disc golf courses at Black Hoof Park

Lenexa’s new disc golf courses at Black Hoof Park are officially open for play ahead of a full-slate of community activities planned for Saturday.

The courses have been nearly 20 years in the making, city parks and recreation director Logan Wagler said.

Plans for a course were first called for in the 2004 parks master plan.

City officials and some representatives from Henderson Engineering and the Kansas Flying Disc Association formally christened the courses Wednesday afternoon by playing a game called “Ring of Fire.”

“I think we’ve been pleasantly surprised and almost overwhelmed by the excitement and enthusiasm for this course,” Wagler said. “It really tells us that the community and the disc golf community was really needing and wanting something like this.”

Courses cost about $150,000 to build

Though it’s been years since it was first envisioned, Wagler said there was a new push to get a disc golf course built as the sport has grown in popularity, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
So the city, over the course of about 14 months, got approval for and constructed a 10,000-foot, 18-hole course, as well as a shorter nine-hole course for beginners that’s designed to be less intimidating, Wagler said.
Wagler said the city saved some money by using parks and recreation staff to clear the way for the courses and assemble them.
Some of the cost was also covered by contributions from Henderson and the Kansas Flying Disc Association.

A sign marks the start of the new disc golf courses in Lenexa's Black Hoof Park. The sport, growing in popularity, is played similarly to regular golf, but with discs and baskets. — A sign marks the start of the new disc golf courses in Lenexa’s Black Hoof Park. The sport, growing in popularity, is played similarly to regular golf, but with discs and baskets. Photo credit Kaylie McLaughlin.

180+ disc golfers to play in first annual Black Hoof Open

There are a few community events planned this Saturday to mark the courses’ opening.
The main event is the first annual Black Hoof Open on the 18-hole course, the proceeds from which will go to the Lenexa Parks and Recreation Scholarship Program.
Beginning at 9:30 a.m., there will be an hour-long clinic for beginners, immediately followed by a long-drive throwing competition.
Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., there will also be a series of minigames.
Food, drinks and beer will be available as well, Wagler said.

Black Hoof Park has other new amenities

The city also recently completed a large parking expansion project by the Oak Shelter near the 89th Street entrance to the park.
Starting this spring, people can also rent kayaks to use in the 35-acre Lake Lenexa.
All of this comes on top of the existing amenities in Black Hoof Park, including hiking, boating, fishing and the nature play areas.

More Lenexa parks news: Lenexa’s Sar-Ko-Par Trails Park to get major facelift this summer