INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — A new 12-court pickleball complex will soon be ready for use at south county park, and residents can be part of the celebration by attending the ribbon cutting ceremony next week. The property was dedicated to former County Commissioner Richard “Dick” Bird in 2013 for his passion in supporting parks and outdoor recreation, officials said.
“Users of our facilities can’t get enough of this sport,” Beth Powell, Indian River County’s Parks and Recreation Director, said in a statement. “I believe the popularity of the sport is due to its social aspects, but it is also a fun activity accessible to virtually anyone regardless of age, ability, or athleticism. It doesn’t hurt that our weather is amazing.”
The grand opening and ribbon cutting will be at 11 a.m. June 23 at the Richard “Dick” Bird South County Regional Park, 800 20th Ave. S.W. County officials said the new courts will create opportunities for league play, tournaments, and summer camps.
“This is so exciting for our residents and visitors,” Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Gustavo Vergara said. “The complex expands pickleball availability and offers fully lit courts with an LED lighting system that provides playability seven days a week until 10 p.m. each day.”
The regional park also has a softball quad, lacrosse fields and basketball courts, along with resurfaced and refenced tennis courts, county officials said. The 72.7-acre park – which has grills, pavilions, picnic tables and a large ADA accessible playground with a ramp – operates daily from 7 a.m. until sunset.
The construction cost for the new pickleball courts, tennis courts resurfacing and refencing was $1.035 million, officials said.
Open gym pickleball will continue its normal indoor schedule at the Intergenerational Center, which has six courts that are utilized four days a week, county officials said. For more information on the ribbon cutting ceremony, contact Vergara at gvergara@indianriver.gov or 772-226-1780.
More information on the park can be found on the county website.
Photos provided by Indian River County Government
