About Strawn Park
The property that Strawn Park sits on was acquired to serve as a trailhead for the future Perche Creek Trail. Visitors come from all over the country to play the number one ranked public disc golf course, Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course. Other amenities of this community park include a non-reservable shelter and scenic woodlands and creeks.
- Acres: 129.4
- Park Hours: 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Map of Strawn Parkopens PDF file
- Harmony Bends Disc Golf Mapopens PDF file
Park amenities
Activity areas
- Disc Golf Courses (1, 18 holes)
Natural features
- Harmony Creek
- Perche Creek
- Riparian Zone
- Woodlands
Picnic areas
- Non-Reservable Shelter (1)
Restrooms (closed freezing season)
Parking spots
- 44 Standard
- 2 ADA
- 1 Van Accessible
Park history
Year Land Acquired: 2008: Anderson Property (27.5 acres), 2009: Old Perche Creek Wastewater Plan (101.87 acres)
Purchase Price: $185,500: Anderson Property (27.5 acres), $150,000: Old Perche Creek Wastewater Plan (101.87 acres)
Acquired From: 27.5 acres: Ralph and Laveta Anderson, 101.87 acres: Public Works Depts/City Sewer Utility
Funding Source: Park Sales Tax
Dedication Date: June 23, 2016
Land Acquisition
This property was acquired to serve as a trailhead for the future Perche Creek Trail. The north corner of the property was privately owned and purchased from Ralph and Laveta Anderson in 2008. This portion of the property was annexed in 2009. The larger and southern portion of the property was formerly a City-owned wastewater treatment plant. The Parks and Recreation Department purchased the land from the Public Works Department/Sewer Utility in 2009 for the same price that the Sewer Utility originally purchased it.
Phase I Development
Phase I development of this park was funded in Fiscal Year 2014 by the 2010 Park Sales Tax. This phase of the development included the 18-hole Harmony Bends Golf Course, small shelter, and parking lot. World renown disc golf designer John Houck was hired to design the course. See list of Capital Improvement Projects below for more information on the acquisition and park development, including funding and related City Council items.
Strawn Park and Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course Dedication
Dedication: June 23, 2016
Dedication Programopens PDF file
The dedication of Strawn Park and Harmony Bends Championship Disc Golf Course was held in conjunction with the 32nd Annual Mid-America Open Disc Golf Tournament. Disc golf enthusiasts gathered for the dedication program, which included the following speakers:
- Mike Griggs, Director of Columbia Parks and Recreation
- Gabe Wilkerson, Columbia Disc Golf Club
- Kim Trabue, Convention and Visitors Bureau Advisory Board
- John Houck, Course Designer, Houck Design
- Michael Trapp, Ward 2 Councilman
Attendees received a commemorative disc, which John Houck signed for those that waited in line. The park and course were inaugurated with a “first toss” by the dignitaries in attendance, followed by a disc golf demonstration on the first tee by disc golf pro George Smith.
Harmony Bends Disc Golf Course Ranks #1
Harmony Bends Disc Golf Course was named the 2017 Disc Golf Course of the Year by Disc Golf Course Review. Disc golfer Mike Harrington from Wisconsin made disc golf history in Columbia when he played his 1,000th course at Harmony Bends.
Capital improvement projects and council items
year completed | project description | council items |
---|---|---|
2009 | Council Item: Anderson Property Land Acquisition | View Council Item |
2009 | Council Item: Perche Creek Waster Water Treatment Plant Land Acquisition | View Council Item |
2016 | Strawn Park Development – Phase I | View Council Item |
2021 | Strawn Park Phase II Development | View Council Item |
Strawn Park-Harmony Bends Stream Bank Repair |