Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

FROM STAFF REPORTS

Elizabethton Parks and Recreation is excited to announce the introduction of Pickleball as the Elizabethton Park and Recreation Department will begin offering multiple activities and opportunities to learn and play this summer.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. This sport combines elements from tennis, ping pong, and badminton and requires players to move across a court slightly smaller than a tennis court and hit a ball over the net.

This sport is great for people of all ages and has incredible health benefits such as improving flexibility, weight management, mental health, and hand-eye coordination.

Because the learning curve for Pickleball is short, people from any other sport or no sports background at all find it easy to start and play.

“If there is enough interest from our community, we would love to be able to expand our Pickleball activities to leagues and clinics that can be played and enjoyed by people of any age and skill level,” said David Nanney, Recreation Manager.

Currently, the department has two outdoor pickleball courts at the Joe LaPorte Jr. Recreation Facility next to the Franklin Pool and will be setting up indoor courts in our Recreation Center.

Elizabethton Park and Rec will be offering free introduction sessions each month this summer to give the public access to learn about pickleball and try out the game.

These sessions will take place at the Recreation Center, 300 W. Mill Street. The July sessions will be on July 17 and 31, from 9:00 AM-10:00 AM. Paddles and balls will be provided and participants will only be required to bring athletic shoes.

Michele Zoerb will be facilitating the Introduction to Pickleball sessions as well as the development of further Pickleball program activities.

In order to register for either of these sessions, please send an email to PickleballETown@gmail.com. If anyone has any additional questions about Pickleball or the upcoming introduction sessions, please call the Park and Rec office at (423) 547-6441.

To stay up to date, visit Elizabethton.org under the Parks and Recreation tab and on Facebook @elizabethtonparksandrecreation for future announcements.

For more information, please contact the Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Department at 423-547-6441.