The City of Riverside has begun construction on its pickleball court project in Hall Park.

According to City Administrator Cole Smith, the project, which is being paid for with the help of a Washington County Riverboat Foundation Municipal Grant, was requested by residents several years ago when a group of women began a pickleball group in the city. Temporary accommodations were made with lines on the Hall Park tennis courts and nets that can be put up and taken down, but the new courts will provide a permanent home for pickleball players.

The project will place three courts in the northwest corner of the park. It will also install a sidewalk to get to the court, with the intention of eventually creating a walking loop around Hall Park.

Smith says that, while the city in recent years has been focused on infrastructure projects, the citizens of Riverside also deserve improvements in other areas like recreation, “Our residents deserve to have nice things and a high quality of life. I think it’s going to be a good win for our community and an improvement to recreation in Riverside.”

The project comes on the heels of plans being released for the long-awaited wellness center in the city.

The total project cost is $216,192.67. It is expected to be completed in September.