Granada Park is now home to a new playground and pickleball courts. The new playground additions include a climbing wall, sitting and hanging spinners, a balance beam, and swings. The City’s Parks and Recreation department also expanded the park’s open green space, planted trees and flowers, and installed a shelter and picnic tables. The total cost of the project was $55,000.

These renovations were constructed following a survey about park use and requests sent to neighborhood homes in 2011. The new pickleball courts replace the tennis courts previously in that location, which needed replacement and were underutilized. Pickleball is becoming one of the most popular sports in the United States. It is similar to badminton and ping-pong, and played on a court two-thirds the length of a tennis court.

The new pickleball courts are already seeing action with 30 members of the Cottage Grove pickleball club, led by Cathryn Lande, playing the game as often as possible. The group had previously played at the Cottage Grove DPC Community Center, and welcomed the opportunity to compete outdoors. They meet at Granada Park every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 5 p.m. Play is open and Lande encourages those interested to stop by for a game. Extra paddles are on hand.