More than ever before, people are heading outdoors for recreation and entertainment.
One of the most popular local destinations this summer is the revamped EH Young Riverfront Park. Whether you’re a kid or grown-up, this 40-acre recreational destination has something for everyone, including a three-story climbing tower, zipline and eight pickleball courts.
To introduce the public to pickleball, Riverside Mayor Kathy Rose said the city has entered into a contract with a well-known professional of racquet sports who will go over the basics of pickleball.
“Jack Moorhead is giving free pickleball lessons each Wednesday,” said Rose.
Moorhead will teach the basic scoring, rules and object of the game. Equipment is provided to amateur players.
If Wednesdays don’t work, Moorhead will make himself available on another day for a nominal fee. Riverside residents are charged $1.25 and non-residents are charged a $5 fee, Rose explained.
Pickleball originated in the 1960s. The game shares features of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Pickleball is played on a badminton- sized court with either two or four players.
Since the park’s grand reopening on June 13, many people have flocked to the courts.
“I’ve had several Riverside families, who didn’t have a clue about what pickleball was, go out and purchase paddles and a perforated ball after playing their first match,” said Rose.
“During last week’s ribbon cutting at EH Young Riverside Park, a man came up to me and said, ‘Mayor, I want you to know that this location is not the closest to one of us, but it’s the closest to all of us, and we love it here.’ I thought it was such a lovely comment,” Rose said.
On a side note, the mayor said the off-leash dog parks will be opening soon.
“It is taking a little more time for the grass to grow in this sweltering heat,” she said.
The small and large dog parks are in the northwest corner of the park.
Another popular park feature is the expanded 1.3-mile walking trail that winds around the amphitheater, playground and steel sculpture titled “Riverside Rest Stop,” created by Jake Balcom.