Denham Springs Pickleball Courts: The Parks and Recreation District (PARDS) is hosting public forums to discuss the future of local parks and the need for continued funding. Howard Ward, a pickleball coach at South Park in Denham Springs, is one of many community members advocating for the renewal of a crucial millage that supports park programs and maintenance.
Ward’s team of pickleball players practices every week at South Park, emphasizing the importance of clean, safe, and well-maintained parks for their sport.
“These folks come out every Tuesday morning out at South Park and we drill for 2, 3, 4 hours. Unfortunately, in Livingston Parish, where you’re at today, we only have two outdoor parks that have a space to play, so it’s important and we would like to see more parks available to players because of the number of players that want to play.” – (Howard Ward)
PARDS and Community Involvement
Each year, more than 3,000 people participate in various sports activities at PARDS parks. In addition to pickleball, nearly 2,000 children sign up for summer and afterschool programs. The Denham Springs public water park has been used by nearly 28,000 people, and over 14,000 rounds of golf have been played at the Denham Springs golf course.
Gary Templeton, Superintendent of PARDS Parks, stresses the importance of the millage for continuing and improving these services. He pointed out that without it, the cost of maintaining these programs could increase significantly, or some programs could be cut altogether.
“Without that millage, the cost of these programs would double or even triple, some facilities may shut down, or we may have to diminish some of the programs we have out here.” – (Gary Templeton)
Need for New Pickleball Courts
Sharon Elliot, a Commission Member for PARDS Parks, explained that the funds from the millage renewal would help support the addition of eight new pickleball courts, among other improvements.
“It’s not about getting excessive amounts of money that we just want to sit on, we spend every dollar that we have on making the parks better for the community.” – (Sharon Elliot)
The millage renewal proposal calls for 15 mills to be assessed over the next 10 years, ensuring that local parks remain accessible, safe, and enjoyable for all.
Upcoming Forums
The community will have another opportunity to discuss the future of local parks at a public forum on June 10th. These meetings are an important part of deciding the future direction of the parks system in Denham Springs.
News in Brief: Denham Springs Pickleball Courts
The Parks and Recreation District (PARDS) is holding public forums to discuss the future of parks in Livingston Parish. The renewal of a key millage is crucial for maintaining current programs and funding improvements, such as new pickleball courts. The next public forum is scheduled for June 10th.
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