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Local residents reflect on benefits of Shepherdstown Parks & Recreation Committee updates

By Tabitha Johnston - Chronicle Staff | Aug 18, 2023

From right, Shepherdstown Parks & Recreation Committee member Effie Kallas talks about the town's new pickleball courts with Melanie Winter and Doc McCluskey, of Shepherdstown, at Viola Devonshire Park on Saturday. Tabitha Johnston

SHEPHERDSTOWN — In conjunction with Shepherdstown Parks & Recreation Committee’s Bookmark the Park summer series ending on Saturday afternoon, the town’s second outdoor pickleball court was unveiled to the public at Viola Devonshire Park.

As with the town’s first outdoor pickleball court, unveiled last month at Bane-Harris Park, this pickle ball court was mapped out on the park’s basketball court with pickleball court tape by Shepherd University alumni Bruce Young, of Inwood. Currently, pickleball equipment can be borrowed from Town Hall, though a secure box with a combination lock will eventually be installed inside of this and the other park’s courts, in which equipment will be more directly available for use, according to Parks & Recreation Committee Secretary Effie Kallas.

“We can’t wait to see pickleball tournaments going on over here!” Kallas said, after officially unveiling the court to the public.

As she was walking on the newly marked-out court, Kallas spotted a couple walking down to the court from a short walking trail that the town built in the past few years, connecting Shepherd Village to the back of Viola Devonshire Park.

“These trails make walking around very accessible,” said Melanie Winters. “Our knees are a little beyond playing pickleball, but we always have intended to use the basketball hoop — and we will!”

Charles Town resident Erik Granrud takes a walk around Cullison Park's new walking trail on Tuesday afternoon. Tabitha Johnston

McCluskey noted that, since pickleball games are typically held in the morning and basketball is usually played later in the day, making the court available for both uses is an excellent way to maximize the use of the space.

“We’re big fans of more pickleball in town!” said Shepherd Village resident Doc McCluskey. “We have many pickleball players in the Village — a great number of them. All of our friends play. They’ve been playing this at the university, but this will be free!”

Over at Cullison Park on Tuesday afternoon, Charles Town resident Erik Granrud could be found walking around the new trail, which was unveiled at the beginning of this summer’s Bookmark the Park series.

“Since it’s a playground, the rubberized surface of the trail seems very appropriate. Kids will definitely be less likely to slip and fall and bash their heads open on this!” Granrud said, referring to the trail’s Flexi-pave surface. “I’ve been here many times. It’s nice to be able to come and easily walk around the area. I have no complaints!”

Kallas encouraged community members to get more involved with the decision making behind developments at Shepherdstown’s five parks in the future. All three of the developments unveiled at this summer’s Bookmark the Park events were inspired by suggestions made from community members to the Shepherdstown Parks & Recreation Committee, Kallas said.

Shepherdstown's second outdoor pickleball court was unveiled on Saturday afternoon at Viola Devonshire Park. Tabitha Johnston