New Pickleball Courts in Riverside: Riverside is set to embrace the rising popularity of pickleball with the planned addition of three new courts at Hall Park, scheduled for completion in spring 2025. The $200,000 project, which was a focal point of the City Council’s recent meeting, represents a significant investment in the town’s recreational facilities. In addition to the pickleball courts, the first phase of improvements will include enhanced surfaces and signage around the park. As the city pushes forward with its plans, residents are eagerly anticipating a host of upgrades aimed at enriching the community’s outdoor spaces.
Riverside to Add Pickleball Courts in 2025 as Part of Park Improvements
Riverside is preparing to join the pickleball craze with the addition of three new courts at Hall Park, slated to open in spring 2025. The $200,000 project, discussed at Monday’s City Council meeting, marks the first phase of a broader set of upgrades to the popular park. Along with the new pickleball courts, plans also include resurfacing the area in front of the main stage and enhancing signage around the park.
Brian Boulk, an engineer with Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants, is spearheading the design of the project. The new pickleball courts will be equipped with lights, allowing for evening play and extended hours of use—a feature that reflects the sport’s growing popularity. According to the APP Tour, over 35 million Americans now play pickleball, drawn to the game’s smaller courts, lighter paddles, and fast-paced action.
The project comes as Riverside continues to address community needs. Over the summer, a local pickleball group approached the City Council to demand additional playing spaces, prompting the council to prioritize the inclusion of pickleball in its park upgrade plans.
City Seeks Funding for Park and Community Projects
To fund the Hall Park pickleball project, the Riverside City Council unanimously approved a resolution allowing City Administrator Cole Smith to apply for a $100,000 grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation. The city will match the grant with $100,000 from its capital improvement budget, bringing the total project cost to $200,000.
The Riverboat Foundation, known for supporting community projects, is expected to announce its grant recipients by November or December. The city is hopeful that the funds will be awarded, with Monday serving as the deadline for application submissions.
In addition to the Hall Park improvements, the City Council has its eyes on another significant project—the extension of Cherry Lane near Highland Elementary School. However, work on this project won’t begin until after the 2024-2025 school year, pushing its timeline into Fiscal Year 2026.
Council Heads to Mount Vernon to Study Community Center
Looking beyond park improvements, Riverside’s City Council is exploring the possibility of building a new community center. To aid in their planning, the council will visit the Lester Buresh Family Community Wellness Center in Mount Vernon on September 30 for a 6 p.m. work session. The meeting, open to the public, will provide council members with a firsthand look at a state-of-the-art facility as they consider similar plans for Riverside.
The $7 million Buresh Wellness Center spans 33,000 square feet and includes a gym, running track, fitness studio, sports courts, and even a climbing wall. Riverside officials are considering constructing a community center near Highland Elementary School and have held discussions on the topic during previous work sessions.
In other actions, the council approved its Fiscal Year 2025 Urban Renewal Report and authorized an RFP (Request for Proposals) for an audit report of Fiscal Year 2024. The council also greenlit the letting of bids for a downtown revival project, which will update the facades of seven buildings in Riverside’s downtown area. A public hearing on the project is scheduled for October 21.
The next regular meeting of the Riverside City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on October 7.
News in Brief: New Pickleball Courts in Riverside
With the debut of pickleball courts at Hall Park on the horizon, Riverside is positioning itself to meet the growing demand for diverse recreational activities. The city’s proactive approach, from seeking funding through grants to exploring future community center plans, reflects its commitment to enhancing the quality of life for residents.
As Riverside officials continue to push forward with these projects, the city is improving public spaces and laying the groundwork for a more active and connected community in the years to come.
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