Spring at Sawmill Park

Spring is not far away and the nets will be going up in weeks – not months!!

The nets are scheduled to be installed on April 1 – yeah!

If you are a seasoned player consider joining the LPA as we are able to schedule play for our members on four of the six courts at Sawmill. This is a great way to be sure folks will be there as we use SignUpGenius for scheduling of play.

Link to membership information is here

Please note that LPA membership for Sawmill Park is available for residents and non-residents of Litchfield.

We will also be hosting some new player sessions in the spring. Look for updates  here for specific times and dates.

 

Pizza Party Great Fun & Future Plans

The LPA hosted a Pizza Party for members and guests on January 27. We had over 60 folks enjoy the free pizza and treats. The objective was to facilitate a session for all play levels to get together to meet and greet new and old friends.

As you can see there were many conversations happening. We expected that folks would soon finish up after partaking of the victuals, but we were pleased that everyone stayed and chatted for a long time – we even had to tell folks it was time to clean-up.

Future Plans

Many have said they enjoyed the fall cookout at Sawmill Park. We are planning a spring version – look for upcoming details.

 

 

 

Sawmill Park Non-Resident Membership Now Available

The new Sawmill Outdoor courts opened early June 2023. Currently to play at the Sawmill Courts a player needs to be a resident of Litchfield or a member of the Litchfield Pickleball Association.

To Non-Residents: Currently, non-residents may join the LPA for play at Sawmill Park. Please consider joining us for the 2024 season just around the corner.

LPA members, feel free to advise your friends of the change for membership for Sawmill Park

New Player Sessions Huge Success

LPA held introduction to pickleball sessions on Saturday July 22 and Wednesday evening July 26. The attendance at each was much greater that we had expected. Each session had over 25 attendees with the Wednesday evening session having  the greatest number with over 30 folks trying their hand at pickleball. We were actually surprised at the attendance of the evening session and we had wondered if there would be many there.

The LPA Board would like to give a big thank you the many volunteers that were present to provide instruction and encouragement to the new participants.  We are already planning another session for late August.

New/Beginner Player Instruction Sessions

 

LPA is hosting our first New Player/Beginner sessions at Sawmill Park. They are scheduled for Saturday July 22 at 9:00 AM and Wednesday July 26 at 6:00 pm. These sessions are open to LPA members AND Non-members at no cost. The purpose is to introduce those that have never played, or only played a little, to the game. Instruction will include rules of the game, scoring, and basic techniques and play strategies.

To gauge interest please email us at [email protected] that you are planning on attending and the number in your group.

LPA will furnish pickleballs and will make available a limited number of paddles if you don’t have one. If you have a paddle please bring it.

It is requested that those attending be aged 15 or over. Per our use agreement with the Recreation Commission, a waiver will be required to be signed. Parents will need to sign for anyone under age 18 and remain present.

Sawmill Park Ribbon Cutting

 

 

Thanks to many who showed up for a great ribbon cutting day for the new Sawmill Courts. It was a marvelous start to many years ahead of wonderful play.

Cheryl Lang and I were honored to share the ribbon cutting with Judy Brennan and Chris Burns from the Recreation Commission.  Both Judy and Chris have put in countless hours to make today a reality. In their comments they noted that many folks and companies had contributed to make this happen. Specifically:

  • The Litchfield Board of Selectman – for approving the use of the impact fees and the land for the project.
  • The Recreation Commission for supporting the project from start to finish.
  • Gregg Jeffery – Jeffery Land Surveying (Donated all work to town)
  • BAG Land Consulting – Surveying and staking off the wetlands
  • Continental Paving – Donated all site, pad work and paving to town

As a Litchfield resident I am amazed and appreciative of the efforts and generosity of all involved to not only made it happen, but to have created as one person remarked. “The best pickleball courts in NH!!”

And to LPA members, thanks for all the kind words today. The Board appreciates hearing from you all.

See you on the Courts!!

Ron O’Blenis                                                                                                                                                for the LPA Board

Sawmill Park Ribbon Cutting

Well the opening of the new outdoor courts at Sawmill Park is on our door step.

The Recreation Commission has set the ribbon cutting for Friday June 16 at 9:00

I would like to invite LPA members to come to this great event. Cheryl Lang and I have been invited to participate. We will be there wearing our LPA T-Shirts. Hope to see you there dressed in the same.

Regards,

Ron

LPA