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Canfield Township dedicates pickleball courts

By J.T. WHITEHOUSE 3 min read
Staff photo / J.T. Whitehouse Cutting the ribbon on the new pickleball courts at Canfield Township Park on Friday are, front row, from left, Canfield Zoning Inspector Traci DeCapua, Township Administrative Assistant Cindy Williams, Administrator Keith Rogers, Asphalt Surface Enterprises (ASE) contractor Fletcher Christie and ASE marketing director Julia Christie, Ohio Sen. Al Cutrona, R-Canfield, Mahoning County Commissioner Gene DeFabio with scissors, State Rep. Tex Fischer, R-Canfield, and Canfield Township trustees Brian Governor, Marie Cartwright and Joe Paloski. Back row, from left, are Cardinal Joint Fire District Chief Don Hutchison, firefighter/EMT Will Ferrando, Township Public Works members Brian Shiele (hidden) and foreman Bob Burkett, firefighter/EMT Ed Orr and Public Works member Shawn Stack.

CANFIELD TOWNSHIP -- Local, county and state officials cut the ribbon Friday on the new pickleball courts at Township Park.

"We wanted to open it right after the Fourth of July, but the bad storms delayed that opening," said trustee Joe Paloski. "Now it is officially opened."

The ribbon cutting was done in partnership with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber. It was attended by Mahoning County Commissioner Gene DeFabio and Ohio Sen. Al Cutrona and State Rep. Tex Fischer, both R-Canfield, along with members of the Cardinal Joint Fire District and the staff of Canfield Township. DeFabio had the honor of cutting the actual ribbon.

The new courts represent a significant investment in recreational opportunities for township residents and visitors. The $147,681.80 project was made possible through the support of several community partners, including: $65,047 from Mahoning County Commissioners, $35,000 from community donations, $10,000 from the Canfield Rotary Club and $34,634.80 from the township.

Cutrona and Fischer presented trustees with a letter of recognition honoring the ribbon cutting and opening of the new courts. Also in attendance was contractor Fletcher Christie and marketing director Julia Christie from Asphalt Surface Enterprises. The company had also worked on Canfield City's pickleball courts. It is headquartered in Canfield.

In addition to the court construction, Canfield Township invested nearly $20,000 for sidewalks, steps, railings, benches and a picnic table to enhance accessibility and the overall experience for park visitors. The park also features several athletic fields, most of which are utilized by the Canfield Youth Soccer Club, a basketball court, playground equipment, a covered pavilion funded through Ohio Department of Natural Resources NatureWorks and Land and Water Conservation grants, and a multipurpose building and pavilion available for community events and private rentals.

Paloski said the township is committed to expanding recreational amenities in the years ahead.

"Planned improvements include new playground equipment for children ages 2 to 5 and paving of the parking lot near the multipurpose building and playground," Paloski said. "That $146,000 project will be funded through a State Capital Budget grant and is anticipated to begin in 2027."

Additional future enhancements Polaski said are under consideration include paving the handicap-accessible and lower parking areas serving the pickleball courts and constructing a bocce court. A grant application has been submitted to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to help fund those improvements.

The weather for the ribbon cutting was off and on showers, but Township Administrator Keithb Rogers said the courts are being used a lot when weather permits.

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