Walter B. Williams Jr. Park Pickleball Courts: Twenty new pickleball courts opened to the public on Tuesday at Walter B. Williams Jr. Park in Baldwin County, Georgia. Over 150 people gathered under a pavilion to celebrate the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the courts, which are part of a larger effort to improve local recreation and boost the economy.
Years of Work and Vision
Baldwin County Manager Carlos Tobar credited Commissioner Sammy Hall for having the original vision to create the pickleball courts.
“What you see here would not have been possible if it had not been for one man’s vision to actually clear this place, and that was Commissioner Sammy Hall,” (Carlos Tobar).
Tobar explained that Hall suggested tearing down the old State Farm Prison on the site, which had once been costly to remove. One contractor agreed to demolish it for free in exchange for the bricks, saving taxpayers thousands.
Clean-Up and Construction
Once the building was gone, cleaning up the land was the next big challenge. Tobar said the lowest bid to clear the area was $1.1 million, but Keith Greene and his public works team stepped up.
“There were nights that Keith and his team were out here at 8 o’clock at night cleaning this place up,” (Carlos Tobar).
This pickleball project also got help from the American Rescue Plan Act, a federal stimulus bill passed in 2021. County grant writer Haley Hicks submitted three grant requests, which brought in $6 million in funding.
Who Helped Make It Happen
Carlos Tobar thanked Freedman Engineering, Dyer Construction Company, and Georgia Power Company for their help. Middle Georgia Electric Company installed new LED lights for nighttime play. He also praised Finance Director Dawn Hudson for keeping the project on track and free of audit issues.
Tobar recognized Recreation Director Traci Bowden and her team for their hard work.
State Representative Floyd L. Griffin thanked several people, including Carlos Tobar, Commissioner Sammy Hall, and former Commissioner Henry Craig, for their long-term planning.
“That means long-range,”. “It means that we can start something here and we might not be around when something like this happens. But it was planned.”(Floyd L. Griffin)
Community Reaction
Former Commissioner Johnny Westmoreland said he believes the courts will bring new life to the area.
“This is just the start,”. “This is an economic development tank. Let’s move forward.”(Johnny Westmoreland)
Former Commissioner Henry Craig shared how pickleball became a community success.
“And I want you to know that Donald Smith and Steve Franks, in my opinion, are the real fathers of pickleball in Baldwin County,”. “Their philosophy was everybody plays.”(Henry Craig)
Commissioner Sammy Hall, the man credited for starting the project, kept his message short: “Let’s play ball,” he said.
Looking Ahead
Commissioner Emily C. Davis thanked everyone involved in bringing the courts to life.
Commissioner Scott Little highlighted the importance of recreation in Baldwin County’s growth.
“Today is a critical step in reminding the citizens of Baldwin County and anyone who may be looking at us that this is a great place to raise a family,” (Scott Little).
He added that projects like the courts, water park, and other upgrades would continue to grow the county’s economy. He also honored his late friend Phil Garner by saying he hoped the facility would help keep his memory alive.
Commission Vice Chairman Kendrick Butts also thanked the crowd.
“This couldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for all the people in this crowd. And I want to thank y’all,”. “This is just the beginning.”(Kendrick Butts)
Commission Chairman Andrew Strickland spoke about working together.
“Any time we do a great project, it’s because we all came together,”.
“These are the investments that I know the board of commissioners are committed to… and hopefully our friends from Atlanta, Macon, Warner Robins and Augusta will come here and they will shop local.”(Andrew Strickland)
News in Brief: Walter B. Williams Jr. Park Pickleball Courts
Baldwin County opened 20 new pickleball courts at Walter B. Williams Jr. Park on Tuesday. Officials and residents celebrated years of teamwork, planning, and funding. The courts are part of a larger push to boost recreation and the local economy while honoring community members who helped bring the project to life.
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