Grafton opens new pickleball courts at Red Hawk Park
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Photo provided by Dave Sanford
The City of Grafton held a ribbon cutting for their new pickleball courts on Saturday, Sept. 9.
Though Grafton’s pickleball courts have been in lively use since they were finished, the ribbon cutting ceremony on Saturday, Sept. 9, allowed the community to finally celebrate this newest addition to Red Hawk Park. Mother Nature cooperated with a beautiful late summer evening in contrast to the deluge that canceled the August Annual Family Fun Day events.
Families, children, and pickle ballers turned out in solid numbers to heartily enjoy free hot dogs, chips, water, and fresh buttered popcorn provided by generous donors. Face painting and rock painting added to playground fun and the chance for children to explore QEM’s fire engine, Jersey County ambulance, and a Grafton police car. Survival Flight helicopter circled down to a windy landing for up-close inspection by all. Great music was provided by Jake Weber and the Lonesome Drifters.
Mayor Mike Morrow officiated at the ribbon cutting, assisted by former Alderwoman, Mary Lillesvie, and Jersey County’s Queen and Little Miss. “It’s a pleasure to see so many families enjoying the new additions to Red Hawk Park, including the lights and new parking area. Grafton can be proud of our community spirit that helped make this all a reality,” the mayor said.
Alderwoman Donna Smith, chair of the Community Outreach Committee, thanked Chris Petrae and her Family Fun Day Committee for their extraordinary ‘above and beyond’ efforts in navigating the initial planning, changes of dates, helpers, donors and so much more. Chris said, “There was a job to be done to finally bring this event to our families and children, and with lots of help, we just did it.”
Donna said, “It takes more than a village; it takes a community of caring people to turn a vision into a reality. As ideas came, so did support and expertise from all quarters. Many donors, the mayor’s office and City Hall, a generous grant, the City Council, Chamber of Commerce and Grafton’s Dept. of Public Works as well as the Outreach Committee and Fun Day Committee provided the framework, but people provided the impetus and muscle. By giving their countless hours, Grafton’s citizen volunteers made this day happen for our families and children. Congratulations on a job well done.”
