Written by Abbey Williams \/\/ Photo by Macy Cox <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The new pickleball courts in Berryhill Park are open and have become a new and exciting part of the Searcy community. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Director of Searcy Parks and Recreation Mike Parsons said this is just the beginning of what is in store for Berryhill Park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThis is just phase one of what Berryhill will become,\u201d Parsons said. \u201cIt will be a big destination part of Searcy. We will have food truck outlets, family yard games, splash pads, hammock areas, sitting areas and a destination playground.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Parsons said pickleball is a sport growing in popularity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think the possibilities are endless,\u201d Parsons said. \u201cAs long as we can maintain [the courts] and take good care of them, this sport is doing nothing but growing. The future and successes continue to rise, enough where down the road, we have to look at building more pickleball courts. We were crowded before and especially now with Harding students.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chris O\u2019Shields, a member of the committee that worked on developing the courts, said the courts in Berryhill Park are the best Arkansas has to offer. He said the pickleball community is a welcoming group, and that people from outside of Searcy come to play pickleball on the new courts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe courts are successful,\u201d O\u2019Shields said. \u201cI think in due time, there will be more tournaments held. More out-of-town people are coming to Berryhill to play, which will provide more money for restaurants and hotels, and we already have people coming from Cabot, Heber and Little Rock.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Jana Miller, a member of the Parks and Recreation board, said the courts have brought a new energy to the park. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt has breathed new life into Berryhill,\u201d Miller said. \u201cI love driving by and seeing the parking lot full. I love that it is such a beautiful complex we are all so proud of. We want people to come check it out. It\u2019s something our community is proud of, and it\u2019s the very first spark of what\u2019s to come, and it\u2019s exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Miller said playing pickleball is a good way to get outside, exercise and be social at the same time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI think it\u2019s fantastic for all generations to be able to come together and play a game,\u201d Miller said. \u201cMy daughter plays, as well as someone I know who is 85. I enjoy playing with older and younger people. It\u2019s just a fun game no matter your age or gender, so older people can still get exercise in a great environment. I\u2019m an advocate for adult fitness, and it can be hard to find a place like this and enjoy your workout and be social.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Junior Leah Smith said her experience with the courts has been positive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMy experience at the courts has been really great.\u201d Smith said. \u201cIt\u2019s been really fun. The courts are nice and organized and the area around it is really well lit and clean. It\u2019s been a safe and friendly environment every time I\u2019ve been, I am a big fan of the hours the courts are open. It\u2019s nice to be able to play later longer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Smith said she hopes to meet more new people on the courts. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe courts definitely have the potential for meeting new people in the community,\u201d Smith said. \u201cI enjoy playing with different people and different skill sets, so that\u2019s something I hope I can do more. I think it\u2019s just a matter of asking people to join your group at this point with the way the courts are set up.\u201d <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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