By Kathy Chouteau
Richmond’s Booker T. Anderson Park will be the scene of the “Grand Opening” this Sat., Aug. 14 of a place to play what organizers say is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S.: pickleball. Slated for 1-5 p.m., the event will include free open play and demos on the park’s pickleball courts, which consist of newly painted blue lines on the existing tennis courts.
A cross between tennis and Ping Pong, pickleball can be enjoyed by people ranging in age from “8 to 80,” per organizers, who say it’s easy to learn and good exercise. It’s also well suited to play with others during the pandemic.
“I see pickleball as the perfect COVID-friendly activity right now,” U.S.A. Pickleball Association Ambassador Darlene Drapkin told the Standard during an earlier conversation. “You can still maintain your social distance.”
To fund the pickleball courts, Drapkin successfully applied for a $5,000 Chevron Richmond Environmental and Community Investment (ECIA) mini-grant provided to the East Bay Pickleball Association (EBPA).
Booker T. Anderson Park is located at S. 47th St. and Cypress Ave. in Richmond. Questions? Email [email protected].
