Mayor, City officials, pickleballers dedicate new courts at Baldwin Park
Erie Mayor Joe Schember, City Public Works Director Chuck Zysk, Public Works Assistant Director A.J. Antolik, Erie City Councilman Michael Keys, and about 50 members of the Erie Pickleball Players Association and their supporters on Thursday dedicated six new pickleball courts at Baldwin Park, located at West 25th Street between Geist Road and Berst Avenue.
This two-year-long project transformed Baldwin Park from an under-used space to a recreational gem that is bringing people together and building a sense of community in this neighborhood.
The funds for the renovation came, in part, from the $4 million in ARP funding set aside to continue to improve the City’s parks and public spaces. The City is preparing to embark on a comprehensive city-wide parks and recreation plan. Once the plan is complete, City officials will use that $4 million to apply for additional grant dollars to make as many of improvements as possible to the City’s system of 45 parks and green spaces.
This project was a team effort. At today’s ribbon-cutting, Mayor Schember thanked the project’s partners:
- Erie Pickleball Players Association, including Elena Arnold, current president; Bob Borgia, past president; and EPPA member Tom Wisinski
- Erie City Council
- Many individual donors
Mayor Schember said the project aligns with his vision to make Erie a Community of Choice by celebrating the City’s:
- Rich Cultural Diversity,
- Welcoming, Vibrant Neighborhoods,
- World-class Downtown and Bayfront,
- Excellent Education for Everyone.
- and Abundance of Family-sustaining Jobs.
“My team and I have been focused a lot on revitalizing our neighborhoods and improving the quality of life for our residents,” said Mayor Schember on Friday. “And reactivating our parks is a big part of that. We are excited about this opportunity to revitalize our city-owned parks and green spaces, and we look forward to hearing from residents about their priorities.”
