Serving a ball over a pickleball net and soaring through a half pipe on a skateboard are about as different as two recreational pasttimes can be.
Sometime next year, people will be able to do both in Fort Dodge.
They’ll also be able to shoot hoops on a rebuilt basketball court at H.C. Meriwhether Park on 10th Avenue Southwest.
Those are the three latest investments in recreation and quality of life the Fort Dodge City Council has committed to. Contractors have been hired to build the new skateboard park along the riverfront and the four new pickleball courts north of the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center. Both of those should be ready for use before this time next year.
An engineering firm has been retained to design the new basketball courts. Some may ask why an engineer is needed on a basketball court job, and it is a valid question. We think it is a good idea to spend some money to get the thing planned and designed properly so it doesn’t go to pieces after a couple of years.
People can debate the sequencing of these projects or their locations. But the lasting value of them should be unquestionable.
Everyone likes to have fun things to do. Sometimes those fun things require more facilities or space than one person can afford. But the local government can provide parks and other facilities so that lots of people can enjoy those fun things. When those amenities are provided, the quality of life for many is increased.
This is even more important in an era when communities must have recreation and quality of life amenities if they want to keep and attract residents. Technology has made it possible for many people to do their work from just about anywhere. Communities that can’t offer the quality of life they are seeking won’t be able to compete in this environment.
The skateboard park, pickleball courts and basketball courts should be considered welcome additions to our community.