Pickleball & Public Parks The Power of IN VERMILLION
LIFESTYLE
Vermillion’s community of pickleball players is only continuing to grow, especially now since the development of the new courts at Cotton Park . Years ago, the town was in need of a new school, and since the school district owned land at Barstow Park , it made sense for the project to be there. Unfortunately, the park was home to the only outdoor tennis and pickleball courts that were ultimately removed. A strong tennis community has consistently been a part of the Vermillion area, says director of parks and recreation Jim Goblirsch . As more and more residents became involved with pickleball in the last decade, the support for a new outdoor racket sport facility grew.
“As we looked at the future of our parks and recreation system, we saw an opportunity not just to replace what was lost, but to create something even better,” he said. “Cotton Park stood out as a great location because it already had several recreational amenities in place and had room to accommodate a larger racket sports complex.” With a combination of community advocacy, strong participation, and city administration investment, the idea came to fruition. Goblirsch says the new addition of the courts helps better set the parks system up for the future. “The pickleball courts really originated out of a need and an opportunity that came with Vermillion's growth,” said Goblirsch.
WRITTEN BY MADDILYNN KALLSEN + PHOTOS BY KAYLA JOHNSON
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