The revamped Community Park will include new pickleball courts and a basketball court.
Waylon O’Donnell | Daily Journal
Six new pickleball courts will be making an appearance this spring in downtown Franklin as pavement was laid on Wednesday.
The pickleball courts will be located at Community Park on East King Street and near Hurricane Creek. The new courts will replace the former dilapidated tennis courts that were not seeing a lot of use, Mayor Steve Barnett said.
The park will also feature a revamped basketball court. Work is expected to be completed by April or May of 2024.
“Pickleball is wildly popular all over the country, not just in Franklin,” said Chip Orner, Franklin’s parks director. “We are getting a high demand for them, so we are putting in more.”
There are now twelve pickleball courts in Franklin. The other eight courts are located at Young’s Creek Park.
Pickleball can be played with two or four players. Players use a paddle and the rules are similar to tennis, badminton and ping pong.
The pickleball courts are smaller than tennis courts, said Rocky Stutz, assistant superintendent of the parks department. The courts are 20 feet by 44 feet and made of asphalt.
“Pickleball is a great sport for people of all ages and athletic abilities,” Stutz said. “It is low impact and can be played anywhere with a portable net, some paddles and a few friends. It is a great way to have groups socialize, exercise and enjoy the outdoors in the community. People that play get the benefit of low impact movement, competition and being able to take in some of our great parks that we have in Franklin.”
In addition to the new courts, the parking lot outside of the Boys & Girls Club will be repaved and additional parking spots will be added near the park. The Boys & Girls Club project will cost $98,050, while the Community Park project will cost $312,450, Barnett said.
Barnett is really pleased that the Franklin Board of Public Works and Safety and the parks department worked together to overhaul Community Park, he said.
“Improving the quality of life and trying to work toward a healthier Franklin is always good for our community,” Barnett said. “I am looking forward to seeing the completion next spring and seeing people enjoy their day as they improve their health.”
Barnett also mentioned that if there is a demand to bring a tennis court back to Community Park, the city can always explore that option in the future.
