Pickleball Courts at Merrill Rose Memorial Park: Pickleball has officially arrived in St. Anthony, with the recent addition of five newly built courts at the Merrill Rose Memorial Park. The park, located at 200 West 4th North, sits on the site of the old tennis courts, and it has quickly become a favorite spot for locals to play the rapidly growing sport.
A Welcome Addition
According to City Clerk Patty Parkinson, the courts have already been regularly used, with many residents taking advantage of the new facility before winter set in.
“There seems to always be people there playing. They’re just really liking them. They’re just really happy that we have them.” – (Patty Parkinson)
The new pickleball courts offer a softer surface than what is traditionally found on tennis courts. The game itself combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong, using a wiffle ball.
A Growing Trend
Pickleball, known for its easy-to-learn rules and low equipment costs, is a sport that can be enjoyed by individuals of all ages and skill levels.
The game’s accessibility is part of why it has seen significant growth in the U.S. in recent years. Pickleball grew to 4.8 million players in the U.S. by 2021, with an annual growth rate of 11.5% over the past five years.
Players can enjoy singles or doubles matches, making the game versatile and suitable for all types of players.
Expanding the Park
The Merrill Rose Memorial Park is more than just a pickleball venue. It also features new playground equipment, including a slide, jungle gym, and astroturf underfoot. Later this year, the park will see the addition of a splash pad as part of a $245,000 Idaho Community Block Grant the city received in October.
“It’s a very large piece with a slide and a jungle gym with astroturf underneath it. It has platforms and climbing things.” – (Patty Parkinson)
The park, which now occupies an entire block in St. Anthony, had sat vacant for years, with deteriorating tennis courts as its only feature. After the city bought back the property from the Fremont County School District, plans to develop the space into a community hub began to take shape.
A Tribute to Mayor Merrill Rose
The park is named in honor of Merrill Rose, a former mayor who served the St. Anthony community from 1970 to 1978 and again from 1982 to 1990. Rose, who passed away in 2012, is remembered for his contributions to the city.
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, the newly opened pickleball courts at Merrill Rose Memorial Park offer the St. Anthony community a chance to enjoy the sport in a state-of-the-art facility, while also benefiting from the park’s expanding features.
News in Brief: Pickleball Courts at Merrill Rose Memorial Park
New pickleball courts at Merrill Rose Memorial Park in St. Anthony, Idaho, are now open, attracting residents to play the sport. The facility includes five courts, a playground, and plans for a splash pad. The park honors Mayor Merrill Rose, with construction funded by a $245,000 grant.
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