L-R: Jim Montgomery, Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation, speaks as Mass. State Representative Bill Straus, Project Manager Sandra Libby and Landscape Architect Danielle Mellette listen while an excavator breaks ground on DCR’s first official pickleball court at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven on 5/24/21. Photo by Beth David.
By Beth David, Editor
The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation broke ground on the state’s first official pickleball court, and it’s at Fort Phoenix in Fairhaven.
On Monday, 5/24, DCR Commissioner Jim Montgomery, Project Manager Sandra Libby, and Landscape Architect Danielle Mellette joined Mass. State Representative Bill Straus and a group of about 30 pickleball players to commemorate the occasion, as an excavator worked in the background, knocking down an old cement wall. The site is an abandoned hockey rink just a bit east of the tennis and basketball courts.
Rep. Straus recapped the history of the project, saying that while DCR was repairing and repainting the tennis courts, some local people suggested adding pickleball lines because, “People are really getting into that.”
Pickleball is a cross between tennis and badminton. It uses a lighter racket than tennis, and a ball much like a whiffle ball. The courts are smaller than tennis courts and the games are shorter. All of that makes it an easier game for older people, but all ages like the sport.
Rep. Straus said they decided that just adding lines to the tennis courts could cause conflict, so they set about trying to find a spot for a separate pickleball court. They decided on the abandoned corner of Fort Phoenix for the first pickleball courts that will be part of a DCR property and maintained by DCR. There will be four courts in the space.
Massachusetts state representative Bill Straus introduces Ken Pottel, who was instrumental in getting pickleball in Fairhaven during a groundbreaking at Fort Phoenix on 5/24/21 for DCR’s first official pickleball court in the state. Photo by Beth David for the Fairhaven Neighborhood News
Mr. Montgomery said that when he got the call, he did not need any convincing, as his mother fought her local park department to get a pickleball court in her state.
“I understand. I get it,” he said, adding that other communities will soon follow. “What better use of an old space?”
He noted that DCR is the largest land owner in the state with 475,000 acres.
Ms. Libby said she is an avid pickleball player herself, playing three to four times a week. She said DCR will maintain the site, and noted that there is always a bit more to a project than may meet the eye.
This project has three pieces: drainage, the hard surface piece, and landscaping. Drainage was first, they are working on the asphalt now, and landscaping will finish it off.
Ms. Mellette said the landscaping will use a rain garden and meadow area, with a wildflower habitat.
The landscaping piece includes making the area accessible with pathways to the basketball courts.
Fairhaven resident Ken Pottel, who was instrumental in getting the courts, thanked fellow Fairhavenite Bob Foster for getting the idea going. They started with blended lines at Cushman Park. Mr. Pottel said they now have 70 people who regularly play pickleball in Fairhaven.
“Pickleball has been an exploding force here in Fairhaven,” said Mr. Pottel, adding that in Naples, Florida, there are 70 courts and they are regularly filled.
He said the sport is good for all ability levels, all ages and, “it’s so much fun.”
Susan Aiello, 65, Donna Baldwin, 65, and Ginelle Aiello, 32, said pickleball saved them during the pandemic.
“We shoveled the courts, and played almost every day,” said Susan, adding that they kept lowering the temperature on the limit to playing outside.
She said she hated playing tennis, so she was hesitant to try pickleball.
“We play every minute we get,” said Ms. Baldwin. “It’s really fun.”
“It was sanity,” said Ginelle.
“We need the courts” said Mr. Pottel, stressing it is for all abilities.
“It’s so much fun,” he said. “It’s a social sport as much as a physical sport.”
He said the smaller court size, and shorter games (15 minutes), give people more time to socialize on the sidelines; but they also plan on having social gatherings for players.
Mr. Foster said it was great that pickleball would have its own courts.
“This has been a dead area for years,” he said. “It’s the perfect space for it.”
The new courts should be ready by mid summer. Meanwhile, anyone interested can play the game with the Fairhaven Pickleball Association, at Cushman Park, where there are blended lines painted.
See page five for information on upcoming workshops.
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