Between baseball/softball and soccer fields, walking and running trails, playgrounds and picnic areas, Heritage Park already has plenty to offer.

With the recent addition of a disc golf course, though, there’s yet another amenity the city’s nationally renowned Parks and Recreation Department is able to provide for the community.

According to Shelby Williams, the 18-hole course is open seven days a week during daylight hours.

The athletic coordinator for Cullman Parks and Rec said Tom Monroe designed the course, which starts in the wooded area of Heritage Park and forces golfers to traverse a myriad of obstacles, like ditches, sidewalks and trees, just to name a few.

Monroe was the first member inducted into the Professional Disc Golf Association Hall of Fame and is currently the flying disc sports instructor at UAB and Samford. The accomplished disc golfer is also a course pro at George Ward Park in Birmingham.

Despite its increasing popularity across the country in recent years, there are still many Cullman residents who might not be aware of how disc golf works.

Williams said it is similar to traditional golf in many ways. Instead of using clubs and balls, though, players throw specialized Frisbees from a tee area. They then pick up the disc and continue to throw it until it lands in the “hole,” which is an elevated metal basket.

The athletic coordinator said some people thought the holes were squirrel cages, but other than the early confusion, she said the course has been a big hit since it was installed in mid-August.

“We’ve gotten lots of responses,” Williams said. “We’re kind of surprised ourselves. We’re very excited about it, to have something new and something that is really growing.

“Anytime we can get something to make things a little different and stay with the times.”

Anyone interested in trying out the course or playing disc golf for the first time can check out the necessary equipment from the Heritage Park tower.

Golfers must surrender a license or some form of collateral in order to ensure the return of the discs.

Williams said there will eventually be clinics and lessons for those new to the sport, and future tournaments have already been scheduled for seasoned veterans.

She said the first tourney will be March 16-17, and a PDGA sanctioned event will be held in June.

With nearly 32 teams — along with their family and friends — from a variety of sports using the venue each weekend, Williams said the inclusion of the course will only add to the way Heritage Park positively affects Cullman’s economic impact.

“The park brings in gobs of people all year. It’s millions of dollars to the city,” she said. “We truly feel we’ve made our mark here in the city, and we’re very happy about it.

“I know this (Heritage Park) was a dream years ago when it was first built, and it really has helped the city.”

Rob Ketcham can be reached at 256-734-2131, ext. 257 or at robk@cullmantimes.com.