The Canyons History
Since the year 2000, Sean Callahan (owner of Dellwood Disc Golf) was drawn to Dellwood Park just as the generations before him had been. Whether it was taking photos, walking the trails or running in the woods with his dog, he always came to Dellwood as an oasis from everyday life. It was truly a place to unwind and get lost in nature.
In the Spring of 2013 he emailed the park district director, Dave Herman, about building a disc golf course on the property. Sean had played the sport for some time and had been inspired by a recent trip to Sandy Point Ranch in Lac Du Flambeau, Wisconsin. He thought Dellwood Park was a perfect property for a course. The next morning Sean received a call from Dave to set up a meeting to talk about the sport and within a week, Sean and local legend Gary Lewis pleaded their case for disc golf in Dellwood Park, Dave approved.
Sean was introduced to Steve Matul (PDGA #8) and each designed an 18-hole layout, after showing the proposals to Dave, a mix of both Sean’s and Steve’s designs birthed the original 18-hole layout. In the fall of 2013 work began on the course. The Canyons was hand cleared by Roy Carey, Steve Matul, Steve Schlack, Steve Olson, Jason Poole, Jose Herrera and Sean and Sheila Callahan. A couple club work days helped with trash removal and trimming. In the beginning all work to complete the course was volunteer.
Since The Canyon’s opening Sean and the Lockport Park District have masterminded the hole additions, long tees and B-pin placements. The Lockport Township Park District lead by Jeff have done a remarkable job on upkeep and maintenance on the course.
The Canyons in Dellwood Park in Lockport, IL is one of the Top 25 disc golf courses in the world.
Below are photographs of The Canyons Grand Opening on September 20, 2014 by Lauren Lakeberg (The Disc Golf Photographer).
August 2013 – J Town Disc Golf Club hosted the first doubles event on their own temporary course layout
Fall 2013-Fall 2014 – The Canyons takes shape
September 20, 2014 – The Canyons Grand Opening with original 18 holes.
Summer 2015 – B Pins added to holes 12 and 13
Fall 2015 – Blue Tee Pads added to holes 1, 3, 4, 6, 7, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17
Spring 2016 – New Holes added, 6a, 6e, 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d
Fall 2016 – Blue Tee pads added to holes 5, 2, 6a and new holes added 6b, 6c, 6d
April 1, 2017 – Dellwood Disc Golf Pro Shop Opens
Fall 2017 – B Pins added to holes 10 and 18
Fall 2018 – B Pins added to holes 4, 6, 9 and 11. Blue Tee Pads added to holes 8 and 9. Six trees planted on hole 16 and 17
Spring 2019 – 13 trees planted on hole 8
Spring 2013 - Dellwood Disc Golf Pro Shop first expansion.
Summer 2019 – Hole 13 B Pin moved further back
Fall 2019 - Moved Blue Tee on Hole 7 further back. Added a Blue Tee on Hole 16.
Summer 2020 - Hole 1 erosion control steps. B Pins added to holes 2, 3 and 16.
Fall 2020 - Blue Tee added on hole 11. Lengthened White Tee on hole 11. Hole 2 erosion control.
Spring 2021 - Dellwood Disc Golf Pro Shop second expansion.
Spring 2021 - Erosion control around Hole 13 B Pin
Fall 2021 - Red Tees added to holes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 17, 18
Fall 2021 - All new Tee Signs across the whole course
Spring 2022 - Moved the pin back on hole 5 and added erosion control
Summer 2022 - Park District added boulders around hole 10 B pin
Summer 2022 - Park District added boulders around hole 12 Red Tee
Fall 2022 - Moved the B pin on 3 to a shorter position near the amphitheater
Spring 2023 - Park District added boulders around the front of 18 Red Tee
Spring 2023 - Park District added wooden stairs on hole 4
Spring 2023 - Added 8 Arborvitae and B pin to hole 8
