The Marshfield Area Pickleball Community hosted its first tournament and celebrated the completion of the Move Forward Pickleball Complex in Braem Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. In the spirit of community giving, the net proceeds of this tournament were gifted to the Marshfield Area Pet Shelter.
Grassroots fundraising, local generosity of businesses and individuals, and a project-specific fund (est. 2023) have transformed a blighted park into vibrant courts. Braem Park, previously a grassy few acres of underutilized space, is centrally located in the north business district, nestled into a semi-wooded lot often used for disc golf or brief neighborhood walks.
Now, this quiet pavilion is bustling with multiple generations of pickleballers every day. The core group of players, many a part of the fundraising initiatives that built the courts, meets each morning to socialize and sweat.
Perry Stargardt, president of the Marshfield Area Picklball Community, summarizes the sport of pickleball as helping to close the generational gap as all ages can play, everyone is welcome. He states, “The President of Pickleball summed it up best: Pickleball does not discriminate against, age, political affiliation, race, or gender. It is simply the next 4 up.”
Local Marshfield Area residents have shared the variety of benefits provided through these courts. Residents cite exercise and staying active, yet more significantly we hear life-changing stories of community and connection.
These courts help provide an opportunity to meet new people and deepen otherwise nonexistent relationships. Pickleballers in the area sometimes meet for coffee before playing or grab lunch together afterward, cook or bring goodies to share, and find other hobbies to share in together off the courts. In the past year, they’ve even supported one another by spotting and responding quickly to a health crisis.
Local pickleballers joined together to save donated dollars on landscaping by doing the manual labor. Their dedication to the community and spirit of service are evident in how they care for and support these new courts and one another.
To get involved:
To donate to the Marshfield Area Pickleball Fund click here.
To follow the Marshfield Area Pickleball Community for information on events and tournaments click here.