Pickleball, field upgrades, sand volleyball & more!

By Darrell Halen
MethuenLife Writer

Various city parks and recreation projects have been completed or are in the works – thanks in large part to federal ARPA (American Rescue Plan) funds the city has obtained and targeted for improvements. Here’s a look at some of the key improvements and other recreation happenings in the city.

*7 new tennis courts, 6 new pickleball courts: There are now seven new tennis courts (four in one area, three in another) and a half-dozen pickleball courts at the Methuen High School site. The new tennis courts replaced the old ones.

The facility features a bike rack, permanent benches, a pavilion with picnic tables, a paved walkway between the courts and the baseball field’s outfield, and several large wooden seating areas.

A grand opening for the courts is scheduled for 10am on Saturday, May 3. The public is invited to attend.

Courts will be available for public use when school is not in session and the complex is not being used by MHS athletics, according to Stephen Angelo, the city’s Parks and Recreation director. Information about court hours will be available after the opening. There is no lighting at the courts and police will take notice if players stay past posted hours. There will be an online reservation portal, which will go live in May, at www.methuenrec.com. There will also be assigned “open recreation” timeslots where people can play without a reservation, Angelo said. This schedule will be available at the parks and recreation website.

A few weeks into the courts’ “soft opening,” Angelo said he’s receiving loads of positive reviews.

“We’re getting great feedback from residents – they’re telling us it’s been a long time coming. Now they don’t have to travel to another community to play. (Pickleball fans) play all over and they’re saying we have the nicest courts in the area.”

MHS girls’ tennis team head coach David Fay, who has coached at various schools, likes the change, too.

“We have, by far, the best set-up in the Merrimack Valley right now. No question. Totally professionally done. It’s magnificent really,” he said.

“We’re all very excited. Of course, it’s a long time coming and way overdue,” he added.

Fay, who said he has seen tennis courts in the Methuen area disrespected and damaged by some skateboarders, dog walkers and roller bladders, is hoping to see signs and rules posted at the facility.

“Tennis courts, in my book, are for tennis only,” he said.

During a recent City Council meeting, Mayor DJ Beauregard announced the city will be installing “acoustic-dampening sound block wraps” on the fencing around the courts to mitigate noise.

*MHS baseball field re-design: As part of the renovations a permanent outfield fence equipped with safety topping and four poles was erected, according to Angelo, and an ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant walkway and seating area was also installed around the home plate area of the complex.

“(Continuous) work will be done on the field with hopes in the near future to fund the replacement of dugouts and backstop structures,” he said.

The memorial monuments at the baseball field and tennis courts were repositioned, but are still near the entrance of both facilities, according to Angelo.

*Burnham Road softball field improvements: According to Angelo, all lights at Francis Morse Park were replaced with new LED lighting units and, starting this past fall, the city began a complete renovation of Field 3, the home of the MHS softball team and Methuen Girls Softball.

The renovation included state-of-the-art drainage systems, expanded dugouts, new irrigation, permanent fencing and new clay infield and sod outfield surfaces, he said. The field is scheduled to open in May.

*Changes at Veterans Park: The city will be installing an outdoor fitness court where the current run-down street hockey rink is located, according to Angelo. Equipment has been purchased with the help of a grant from Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Construction will begin upon design approval and city officials hope for completion this summer. The park is located off Milk Street.

*Forest Lake updates: Equipment was purchased, according to Angelo, to install a sand volleyball court in the grassy area directly next to the parking lot. A renovation of the playground is planned for the near future.

*Programs for kids & adults: More than 600 residents are participating in this year’s spring programs including “tons of exciting programs” like co-ed volleyball, tee-ball, flag football, tennis and other great activities, according to Angelo.

Kids are invited by Methuen Recreation and TTS Sports for a Spring Tennis Program at the new tennis courts where they can learn and practice their tennis skills. Lessons are being offered Saturday afternoons from May 3 to 31. Kindergartners to second-graders meet noon to 1 pm, followed by third- to eighth-graders from 1:15 to 2:15. Cost is $80 for residents, $90 for non-residents. Visit methuenrec.com to sign up.

Summer programming is available online at methuenrec.com to learn of all the summer fun, including a free playground program.