City given pickleball gear to launch mobile program | Palatka Daily News, Palatka, Florida

BRANDON D. OLIVER/Palatka Daily News – Local children hold pickleball equipment the St. Johns River Pickleball Group donated to the city of Palatka to create the Mobile Rec program that will take the sport to people throughout the city.

Pickleball enthusiasts and the city of Palatka have partnered to expose the sport to local families and provide a fun and safe activity to residents.

Members of the St. Johns River Pickleball Group handed boxes of equipment to Eddie Cutwright, the city’s recreation director of the Cultural Affairs Department, on Tuesday at the former Jenkins Middle School, 1100 N. 19th St. The department is hosting programs at the former school facility and hopes to occupy part of the building full time in the future.

Among the items donated were 45 pickleball paddles, four portable net systems and 100 balls, said Jimmi Symonds, a member of the pickleball group. The group also hosted a pizza party for local children with some of the $2,500 grant the Community Foundation for Northeast Florida gave them to purchase the pickleball equipment, Symonds said.

She said the equipment will be taken in a Palatka Police Athletic League vehicle to different areas of the city, rather than making people always show up to one location all the time.

“Sometimes, the kids have a hard time getting to the parks, especially with working parents,” Symonds said. “Once a month, we’ll start going to different neighborhoods. We’re just trying to bring the fun to the kids.”

BRANDON D. OLIVER/Palatka Daily News – Pickleball paddles and balls sit in the parking lot of the former Jenkins Middle School in Palatka. The St. Johns River Pickleball Group donated 45 paddles, 100 balls and four portable net systems to the city of Palatka.

Symonds and Cutwright said the plans are part of the Mobile Rec program, which is slated to begin in December.

Keeping kids busy and getting their families and friends involved would be a great way for people to have fun without getting into trouble, Cutwright said.

“This December, we’re going to try to have a December clinic, a winter clinic,” he said. “Get kids busy. Keep them busy; keep them out of the streets.”

The equipment the pickleball group purchased with the grant funds will help expand the sport throughout the city, Symonds said. The portable net systems are crucial, she said, because they allow for many otherwise unassuming locations to become impromptu pickleball courts.

She said the group recently marked two pickleball courts at Mellon Learning Center in Palatka. Even the parking lot at the former Jenkins building could be converted into pickleball courts, Symonds said.

Photo submitted by Jimmi Symonds – Two people have fun playing pickleball in Palatka. Pickleball enthusiasts have touted the sport as a great opportunity for children and adults to have fun with the same activity.

The beauty of the sport, she said, is that it can be played on nearly any safe, flat surface. Pickleball continues to grow in popularity because it is a social game that people of all ages can play, Symonds said.

“It’s one of the most social games I’ve ever played,” she said. “Kids play it with adults. Grandchildren play with grandparents. We’re actually hoping the kids will bring their parents.”

For information about Mobile Rec, call Community Affairs at 386-329-0100.