EPRD Wants a Piece of Your Mind; Keep it Strategic Please

Evergreen Park & Recreation District staff and board of directors have invited us to help identify facility needs, program offerings and service gaps for the 2023 Strategic Plan. Through online and in-person “Discovery Sessions,” EPRD seeks feedback from the pickleball community. “Input from your community will be crucial to how EPRD serves you in the future,” Cory Vander Veen, EPRD Executive Director, told us.

Here’s your chance to tell it like it is. imagine all 270 EPC members showing up to say:

  1. Pickleball serves all ages and abilities because it requires moderate activity across a small area.

  2. Pickleball is a social sport. It fosters friendship, camaraderie and good sportsmanship.

  3. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America and In Evergreen. EPC estimates there are 700-800 players in our community, doubling in the last two years.

  4. We play every day of the week at Wulf. (Thank you EPRD, but…) It’s crowded. We need more indoor courts to accommodate the inclusion of players among school kids, working parents, families and people with disabilities.

Members from the EPC board will be attending all sessions, but if you can make only one show up at the Lake House, Tuesday, Jan. 31 at 6 pm when the Special Topics Forum includes pickleball, specifically. Please join us and show them the happy, positive, enthusiastic and appreciative community we are.

You can also share your thoughts online now.

Virtual Discovery Sessions (all topics will be covered)

  • Live In-Person Discovery Sessions by Topic:

    PARKS + OUTDOOR RECREATION: Wed, Jan 25 at 6 PM - Wulf Rec Center
    Discussion includes: parks & trails, athletic fields, youth & adult sports, outdoor & passive recreation

    REC CENTERS + INDOOR PROGRAMS: Thu, Jan 26 at 6 PM - Buchanan Park Rec Center
    Discussion includes: youth programs, childcare, aquatics, gymnastics, fitness programs, rec centers

    SPECIAL TOPICS FORUM: Tue, Jan 31 at 6 PM - Evergreen Lake House
    Share your ideas and expertise on special topics you care about: youth sports, aquatics, dog park, pickleball, etc.

    SERVING OUR WHOLE COMMUNITY: Thu, Feb 2 at 6 PM - Buchanan Park Rec Center 
    Discussion includes: inclusive programming for all ages; addressing financial, accessibility, transportation & other needs; closing service gaps, etc.


Whoever Took Paul’s Keys, Give ‘em Back. No Questions Asked

“Could you please send out a notice to whoever took my keys at pickleball at Wulf Rec Center to return them?,” asks Paul Fischer. “They are for a Honda car, house key and mailbox key.

“I’m not sure how someone could have grabbed them accidentally. The keys were on the top middle seating area in the first set of bleachers inside my pickleball case and must have fallen out. They’re on a black strap, mail box key, a work key and some others not used too often on the key ring.”

If you happen to locate them let Paul know. 847-668-4900.

You can keep the keys he doesn’t use that often.


“The Pickleball Craze, Explained” Shows the Growing Pains of the Fastest Growing Sport

YouTube channel Vox shows the popularity of pickleball and how cities are dealing with the boom. Some of the viewers’ comments capture the commotion:

“It shows if sports facilities are made easily available for the common public (which isn't an easy task), it can really make a change in their lives and connect communities.”

“I’m in Louisville and we’re on the brink of civil war. People are violently advocating for this sport. Parks are being mass expanded and other sports for parks are being forgotten.”

“This feels like the skateboarding discussion of the early and mid 80s tbh. ‘It's noisy, they take up all the space, blablabla’.”

“My favorite thing is people who love a certain sport and then suddenly decide to hate on another sport. It's like they are sport connoisseurs and we must listen to them. Lol people get so freaking offended.”

The Pickleball Craze, Explained


Common Myths About the Kitchen

Since our last entry on court manners, we’ve had several players pipe up about misunderstandings about what you can and can’t do around the kitchen. Here are some myths we’d like to dispel:

Myth #1: You can’t step into the kitchen unless or until the ball bounces.
You can step into the kitchen anytime you want. You just can’t hit the ball on the fly - a volley - while in the kitchen. Heck, you could stand in the kitchen for an entire game if you wanted (though we wouldn’t advise it). Just don’t hit a ball - or let it hit you - without it bouncing first.

Myth #2: If you step into the kitchen to hit a ball that’s bounced you must step out of the kitchen before you hit the next ball.
No such requirement. However, it’s wise to get out of the kitchen quickly so your opponent doesn’t drive the ball into you, ergo a fault.

Myth #3: If you hit an overhead kill shot and the ball is dead it’s okay if your momentum carries you into the kitchen. The point’s over after all.
If you let your momentum carry you into the kitchen after hitting it on the fly, it’s a fault; point goes to your opponent. Even if the point is over you must get control of your momentum and not step into the kitchen for the point to count.

Myth #4: Accidentally dropping your paddle in the kitchen is unintentional. No harm no foul.
If you drop your paddle, your hat, your glasses - anything - in the kitchen it’s a violation. Intention is not under consideration.

Our favorite: Myth #5: Barely stepping on the kitchen line is not a fault, especially if no one sees it.
It’s a fault if your foot touches any part of the line, even a little bit. Otherwise, how do we determine what’s in the kitchen and what isn’t? It’s your obligation to call a kitchen violation on yourself or your partner. That’s the rule.


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EPRD Would Like Your Input on Its 2023 Strategic Pla

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Winter Schedule at Wulf Starts Today; EPRD Classes Return