CARTERSVILLE, Ga. – A disc golf course at Riverside Day Use Park is giving more people a reason to get outside and enjoy public lands. The 20-hole Etowah Disc Golf Course, located on the banks of the Etowah River, has become a popular spot for visitors at Allatoona Lake.
The course opened in 2017 and was built through a partnership between the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and local volunteers from Etowah Disc Golf. It is one of several projects supporting USACE’s mission to deliver safe, accessible, and sustainable recreation at federal day use areas.
“Riverside Park stands out because of how many things it offers in one place,” said Rusty Simmons, Chief Ranger of Recreation at Allatoona Lake. “There are picnic tables, grills, a boat ramp, two large group shelters, restrooms, a hiking trail, and now a disc golf course.”
The course is actively maintained and supported by USACE staff in partnership with local volunteers. Teams regularly inspect and service the course, ensure public access, and coordinate with community partners to support events year-round. This effort provides reliable, family-friendly outdoor spaces that are open, safe, and clean.
The idea to build the course began with a challenge: increase the use of an under-visited area while giving the public something new. What followed was an innovative, three-year project that transformed open space into a regional draw for disc golf players of all ages.
“Almost overnight, more people started visiting,” said Christopher Purvis, Lead Ranger at Allatoona Lake. “It changed the way people use the area, and it added something new that was family-friendly and fun.”
Hole #4 is one of the most talked-about features, a 222-foot shot across a small valley and uphill into the mouth of a cave. It has been featured in magazines, calendars, and social media, helping put Riverside Day Use Park on the disc golf map.
“The course has a little of everything,” said Matt Zollitsch, a regional disc golf tournament director. “It’s beautiful along the river, and there’s a good balance of technical and open shots. There’s also plenty of parking and clean restrooms, so it’s easy to spend the day there.”
Zollitsch estimates players from most U.S. states have traveled to the course, some to try and ace the cave hole.
The project also reflects how USACE works hand in hand with the public. The course was designed, built, and is partially maintained by volunteers, including Sam Barfield, who led the original construction efforts. Zollitsch said working with USACE staff has made the process easy and rewarding.
“The support has been phenomenal, from permits and meetings to communication and upkeep,” he said. “It’s a great partnership, and this course is a must-play in the disc golf world”.
These kinds of community partnerships are a key part of how USACE serves the public, not just today, but with future generations in mind. Whether through trail work, environmental stewardship, or recreation projects, public input and involvement are central to USACE's innovation and improvement of access to federal lands.
The Etowah Disc Golf Course is just one example of how USACE is adapting to new recreation trends while remaining committed to the people and communities it serves.
“This park and this course show what’s possible when we listen to the public and build something that serves everyone,” said Simmons. “We’re proud of it, and we want people to enjoy it for years to come.”
As outdoor recreation continues to grow in popularity, projects like the Etowah Disc Golf Course show how the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is meeting public needs through innovation, stewardship, and partnership. By creating lasting recreation spaces that serve local communities and visitors alike, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mobile District continues to deliver on its mission today and into the future.