Following the Harmon Field Board of Supervisors third and final public hearing to apply for a N.C. Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant for improvements, the board decided not to apply this year.

However, the board is moving forward with some proposed additions to the park. Based on suggestions from the public, Harmon Field plans to add a racquetball court and a Frisbee or disc golf course.

Board members said they feel the state would not seriously consider Harmon Fields application this year and the two proposed projects could be done through fundraising and local grants.

Other ideas voiced at the public hearings were to fix the existing tennis court surface. Harmon Field is currently raising funds to to repair the tennis court surface next spring.

Elliott Hodges brought the disc golf idea to the table during Tuesdays public hearing and said he knows of about a dozen people in the area who enjoy the sport. Hodges says people who play disc golf have to travel to Asheville or Spartanburg, S.C., to play on a course. Parks supervisor George Alley said nine poles and baskets would be needed. A basket is about $300, Alley said, and the course could be located on the open air gym side of the property so as to stay away from walkers.

At one of the first public hearings, a group expressed interest in adding a racquetball court.

Other improvements that could be done through local grants were also mentioned, such as extending the existing walking track.

Harmon Field was awarded the PARTF grant two years in a row with one for major improvements such as the addition of the walking trail and another to help Harmon Field purchase part of the former Tryon Middle School property.

Harmon Field has been denied the PARTF grant the past few years. Board members said Harmon Field could probably figure out other ways to fund the proposed new projects without applying for the large state grant.