Pickleball Makeover at the National Mall: Over the weekend, the National Mall transformed into a sprawling pickleball court, visible from the heights of the Washington Monument and echoing the unmistakable thwack of a pickleball hitting a paddle. The pickleball event, dubbed the “National Mall of Pickleball,” took place at the JFK Hockey Fields, situated across Independence Avenue from the iconic Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial.
“It’s all to promote health and wellness and healthy activity, and to really showcase an amazing opportunity for this amazing sport … really showcasing it on the National Mall because the National Mall is America’s front yard.” – (Catherine Townsend, president and CEO of the Trust for the National Mall)
This year, they partnered with Humana, a health insurance agency, to make the event a reality.
Open to All
While several professional pickleball players were slated to participate, the event welcomed anyone who signed up in advance. Eileen Goode, hailing from Madison, Wisconsin, stumbled upon the game on Friday afternoon. It wasn’t part of her original plans when she visited D.C.
“We started walking down, and Kathy (a friend she’s visiting) spotted it, and of course, we had to come.” – (Goode)
An avid player back home, she expressed her excitement: “It’s awesome. I want a video of me playing against the monument,” she said, alluding to the Washington Monument situated behind her as she played.
Making Pickleball Accessible
To Goode, the event symbolized a concerted effort to increase accessibility to the sport.
“To me, it’s a sign that you’re just trying to make it more public, more available. Anyone can play. There are kids, there are seniors. You don’t have to be that good to have fun.” – (Goode)
Helen White from Arlington, Virginia, has been a pickleball devotee for 14 years and took on a leadership role as a volunteer coordinator during the weekend’s festivities.
“Pickleball is my life. I am a pickleball addict. This is my fondest dream, to have pickleball being played in America’s backyard.” – (White)
Strong Participation
By Friday afternoon, the event had drawn nearly 800 eager participants. The only requirement for players? A sturdy pair of sneakers. As the sounds of laughter and competition filled the air, the National Mall once again proved to be a vibrant backdrop for a beloved sport.
News in Brief: Pickleball Makeover at the National Mall
The National Mall was transformed into a giant pickleball court over the weekend, attracting around 800 participants. The event, organized by the Trust for the National Mall and Humana, aimed to promote health and wellness.
Players of all ages were welcome, including amateurs like Eileen Goode and seasoned veterans like Helen White. The initiative emphasizes making pickleball accessible to everyone, fostering community engagement in America’s front yard.
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