NUNDA, N.Y., July 1, 2024 — The Town of Nunda has installed a new pickleball court in Nunda Kiwanis Park through funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) administered by Livingston County.
The County received these ARPA funds as a result of the pandemic when Congress created a federal bill to support projects that provide for economic resiliency and enhance communities negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The Board of Supervisors authorized a portion of the County’s ARPA funds to be distributed equally among its 17 towns to support the creation of or improvement to parks, trails or other forms of outdoor recreation, and/or tourism efforts.
Needing publicly-accessible land to house the recreational addition, the town partnered with the local Kiwanis Club to build the new court at Nunda Kiwanis Park. It is now open to the public and ready to introduce Nunda residents to the sport, which is often described as a cross between table tennis, badminton, and tennis
"The town of Nunda does not own a park, so we partnered with the Kiwanis Club, built the court, and turned it over to them," explained Nunda Town Board Member Martha Blair. "It was a win-win for everyone involved. Kiwanis got a court they had discussed wanting but were unable to afford, the town was able to utilize grant money earmarked specifically for parks and recreation, and the community at large has access to a court."
Town officials expect the new pickleball court to serve as a hub for social interaction. By providing a dedicated space for this rapidly growing sport, the Town of Nunda and Nunda Kiwanis also aim to encourage residents of all ages to embrace a more active lifestyle.
"Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with millions of players across the country," added Blair. "It's a low-cost sport that all ages can enjoy, and it's our hope that our community members will try it, like it, and continue to play."
Visit the “County News” section of the Livingston County website to see how other local towns have used ARPA funding for their own green space initiatives, including Avon’s historic landmark restoration, Springwater’s baseball facility improvements, York’s upgraded playground facilities, and Caledonia’s baseball grounds transformation.
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About Livingston County:
Founded in 1821, Livingston County, N.Y., is home to more than 61,000 residents in 17 towns located across 631 square miles of the Finger Lakes region.