One of New Canaan’s hidden gems, Waveny’s disc golf course, is in the midst of a major overhaul thanks to a dedicated group of volunteers.
A tee area before the improvements, Waveny Disc Golf Course in March 2025. Credit: Connor Markey
When it first opened for play in 2007, the course had just 12 holes, and would remain that way for more than a decade. It wasn’t until 2020 that an additional six holes were added, bringing it up to a full 18-hole course.
While more minor improvements have been implemented over the years, such as drainage ditches and additional tee areas, 2025 may mark some of the biggest improvements to the course yet.
Six of the holes have been “entirely or significantly redesigned, to the extent that we actually changed the layout of the course,” according to avid disc golfer and volunteer course groundskeeper Mickey Stayman.
The new practice net near the entrance of the Waveny Disc Golf Course in March 2025. Credit: Connor Markey
In a March 12 presentation before the Parks and Recreation Commission, Stamen said, “I think all but two or three holes have been renumbered.”
“So it’s really quite a bit of a different course now than it was before,” he said at the meeting, held in Lapham Center and via videoconference.
The new layout aims to improve the flow of the course by redirecting players away from less traversable areas of the forest, such as a notoriously swampy section that surrounded the former 18th hole. Volunteers have also pruned some of the invasive thorny bushes in the area, making it easier to retrieve lost discs.
“Wood chips were provided and we spread them out,” Stayman said. “As many of you know, that area has quite a bit of wetness to it. After rains and in the spring, the wood chips really help, and it’s a real natural way to provide relief on some of that activity.”
Another major improvement is in the tee pads. While the tee areas of the course prior to the improvements were marked by little more than a wooden marker and some packed dirt, each one is currently in the process of being replaced by a 12-by-3-foot platform of artificial turf. Benches are also in the process of being installed at each tee area. Eight of the tee areas already have been replaced, with the next 10 scheduled for completion by the end of April.
The park bench with signage, Waveny Disc Golf Course in March 2025. Credit: Connor Markey
“They take about four hours for us to do each one,” Stayman said. “We’re going to do them as quickly as we can.”
Other recent improvements to the course include a practice throwing net near the entrance, a new picnic table and signage directing visitors towards water and restrooms, an upgrade inspired by online reviews.
“They talk about availability of water and restrooms,” Stayman said. “So one of the things we’re doing is, we’re going to put a sign on the picnic table that lets people know that restrooms and water is available at the house by the paddle courts. That will hopefully increase our amenity rating.”
Stayman also said there’s the need for a crosswalk near the course’s entrance, which is in the process of getting town approval.
“We’re estimating between 20,000 to 25,000 people in crossings a year across that road, and we think a crosswalk for safety reasons would be a good idea,” he said.
Stayman estimates that all the renovations should be complete by the end of April, just in time for the “warmup” tournament on April 27.