The new pickleball courts at Crater Park were packed Friday as they were opened to the public. (Holly Lamm | Elkin Tribune)
According to Jane Pauley’s CBS podcast earlier this month, Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in the United States. Born from the desire of two Washington State dads to find their children an activity to stave off boredom way back in 1965, all one needed was a ping-pong paddle, a wiffle ball and a badminton court.
“It’s been a fun and heartwarming project to work on,” said Jack Jernigan, long time friend of the late Mickey Carter and his family. “Mickey loved the game and had a long-term vision of Elkin having dedicated pickleball courts. That vision is now a reality thanks to the overwhelming generosity of Mickey’s large network of friends and the diligent but swift action of the recreational advisory board and town commissioners.”
The official ribbon cutting ceremony is set for Saturday, Sept. 10 at 10 a.m. at the new courts located at 310 Standard Street at Crater Park. Adam McComb of the Elkin Recreation Center will dedicate the Mickey Carter Pickleball Courts officially at that time, but the courts are already open for public play.
Other Crater Park improvements can be seen at the upcoming public meeting August 25 from 5-7 p.m. at the Yadkin Valley Heritage Center and can also be viewed Sept, 9 during Food Truck Friday at The Elkin Farmer’s Market.