A Walk in the Park (#22)

As this Christmas approaches, I’m grateful for the Northeast Community Park that has sprung up this year and all its amenities. For those of us who live in the rural areas north of Springfield, the park that is open to the public provides a quiet, inviting, peaceful place where we can walk, think, and relax.

The park doesn’t have the traffic noise of many parks in the city. The various access points to the wide walking paths attest to the calm of the surrounding neighborhood. What a blessing this developed acreage is becoming to those who live north of the city limits!

This time of year, with a chill in the air, the park is a great place to walk to feel the warmth of the sun. While I’m looking forward to all the beautiful trees that will be planted along the paths next year, for now it’s a place for an uninhibited view of the orb in the sky.

I’m especially appreciative of the installation this year of the two pickleball courts, the only courts open to the public north of Interstate 44. Unlike many of the pickleball courts in Springfield, these courts aren’t converted tennis courts. Thus, there are no confusing taped lines trying to accommodate both sports. In addition, the net is regulation height for pickleball, rather than for tennis.

The fenced-in courts keep the ball from rolling too far away. The “kitchen” area on the pickleball courts is clearly marked, as are the out-of-bounds areas. The newly painted surface is free of cracks. Benches on each side of the courts allow for visitors to watch the games while waiting.

The pickleball courts, like the walking path, provide an opportunity for local residents to stay active and fit. After a hefty Thanksgiving meal, Northeast Community Park might be just the right place to land.

by: John Kennedy