On a recent morning in Plum, the pop-pop-pop of pickleball paddles could be heard emanating from Renton Park. The 2.5-acre park tucked away in the borough’s Renton neighborhood has become a destination for residents since the borough invested about $750,000 in improvements, including three courts for the popular game.
Barbara Addison, who lives about 10 minutes away in the Holiday Park neighborhood, said her pickleball group often plays at the YMCA. “On nice days, we come here,” she said. “People like to play in the morning because it’s cooler.
” With all the courts full that Thursday morning, Addison was waiting her turn to play. “They did a beautiful job,” she said. “I think it’s lovely.
They did a terrific job. I was very impressed.” Improvements to Renton Park were done in three phases, with grants paying for about 40%, or $294,000, of the cost, borough Manager David Soboslay said.
Improvements included a new children’s playground, walkway and parking lots on both sides of the basketball court. Before the project, there were no defined parking areas, parking spots or handicapped parking spaces, Soboslay said. A small walking trail was constructed along with a bocce court and permanent cornhole boards.
Grading and stormwater improvements were done throughout the site. The basketball court surface was milled and rebuilt, and the fence around the court was repaired. The last phase was in 2023 and started with grading improvements, Soboslay said.
The bo.