One makes for a relaxing way to enjoy a walk in the park. The other qualifies as an extreme sport. You can find them right next to each other in Centennial Park. Lawrence’s disc golf course and public skate park make an odd couple, but they both challenge their participants’ skill and athleticism — in very different ways.

Centennial Park

Nestled a convenient distance from both downtown and the Kansas Turnpike, Centennial Park is a popular destination for both Lawrence residents and out-of-towners alike. In addition to the two main attractions, there are two extended family-size picnic and gathering areas, one on each side of the park.

The west entrance is on Rockledge Road, between Sixth and Ninth streets. This locale is marked by the controversial Polaris Missile installed as a memorial. The start of the disc golf course is here, as is the skate park. A large gazebo serves as a potential picnic spot.

The east entrance boasts a big pavilion to accommodate a larger gathering and a playground. Best of all, it is right by another Lawrence tradition: Bucky’s Drive-In. Both entrances are equipped with public restrooms.

Disc golf

Measuring a good 4,704 feet, the disc golf course makes for a great walk in the park. Disc golf operates on the same basic principle as regular golf: competitors try to hit a target in the fewest number of tries — in this case, throws of a specialized rubber disc.

Instead of holes, the end of each section is a metal basket on a pole. Chains extending from the top of pole and into the basket stop the disc’s flight and sends it into the basket below — in theory, at least. You still have to be accurate with your throw.

Ryan Ritter, World Online photoOne of the disc golf targets at Centennial Park. See our video and photo gallery of things to do in and around Clinton Lake .

There are more than 1,200 disc golf courses in the United States, and nearly 40 in Kansas alone, but only one in Lawrence. Adam Hays, Olathe, makes the trip to Lawrence often just to play the Centennial course.

“It’s definitely challenging,” Hays said. “It’s very scenic.”

To get started in this sport, all you need is at least one disc. Most golfers take one more step and get a second: a more aerodynamic disc for driving, and a heavier, more accurate disc for “putting.” The putting discs are less likely to bounce off the target, and more likely to fall into the basket.

Most sporting goods stores will carry a broad range of discs, starting at about $7 each. Most disc golf courses, including the one at Centennial, are free. Cheaper discs can be found used, or at the large discount stores, but you get what you pay for. Dave Wright, owner of Lawrence’s Play It Again Sports, said a driver hitting a tree head-on is less likely to fly straight. The cheapest discs might not survive such an impact.

Of course, there is more money to be spent on elite equipment, and not just on higher-grade materials. There are specific discs for every conceivable condition. Serious disc golfers can carry up to 40 discs at a time.

Some bank left, some bank right, some really curve to handle the trickiest of lies. Some fly better in high wind. Some fly better in high humidity. Knock yourself out.

You can even buy your own disc golf target for your backyard for about $170. A portable and collapsible variety will soon be available for under $120.

Skate park

Right next to the golf course, but attracting a very different kind of visitor, is the skate park. Skateboarders are the most populous variety of participants, with a sprinkling of BMX bikers and aggressive inline skaters thrown in.

Once you choose your wheels, you can run them into and off of a variety of metal and concrete rails, ramps and stairs. All in good fun.

Ryan Ritter, World Online photoAdam Whelan, Lawrence, works the half-pipe. See our video and photo gallery of things to do in and around Clinton Lake .

What the skate park and disc golf have in common is that they both attract people from inside and outside Lawrence. Jerry Ruby brings his son Jared up from Kansas City, Kan., at least once a week. They come for the lights, and they come for the safety.

“Everyone gets along,” Reed commented as Jared skated the half-pipe. “No matter how crowded it gets, I’ve never seen any problems.”

Lawrence teen Adam Whelan comes to the park nearly every day, because “you can let loose and do whatever you feel like.”

Getting started in this sport takes a little more outlay of cash than in other activities featured in this column, but is more than worth it judging by how popular the skate park is.

Also just like the disc golf, the cheapest equipment can be found at the big discount stores, where an entry-level skateboard will run around $30. For a little more scratch, a good basic model will be in the neighborhood of $50. Throw in a helmet and knee pads to complete the package, though most skaters I saw at the park went without.

High-end equipment can extend over $150 for a solid board. Play It Again’s Wright is just about to install a “build your own” system where customers can pick out their own board, truck, wheels and every other part, and see the package assembled before your eyes.

The skate park is open from morning until 11 p.m., and is lighted at night. No glass containers are allowed within the arena, and the welcome sign suggests that protective gear should be worn.

This is the last “Things to do in Lawrence” column I will be able to do for this summer. I certainly plan on picking back up next year, so if you have any suggestions for topics or activities, please email me.