Enjoying Progress in My Own Backyard
Progress happens whether we are watching or not. For the past few months, I’ve been riding my bike slowly for 45 minutes to an hour, five or six days a week. The goal is to provide maximum benefit to my cardiovascular system while delivering minimum damage to my deteriorating joints. About once a week, I find myself feeling like a visitor in my town as I ride through our growing Calhoun City Park.
In 2019, while exploring South Dakota, I experienced a revelation. People drive or fly across the country to enjoy the wonders in other people’s backyard, but many of us don’t appreciate what is in our own. Since my return from that trip, I have made a concerted effort to discover what is in my own backyard—to explore and get involved in the north Georgia community when I am home.
Several years ago, the recreation department added to our 225-acre park, a walking and biking path, more baseball and softball fields, a party pavilion, and a black and yellow playground set children never want to leave. More recently, a much-needed fenced-in dog park appeared.
The park already had a pool, tennis courts, ball diamonds, playground equipment, and pavilions when I moved here 36 years ago. This year, while I focused on getting a year’s supply of Vitamin D in Florida, the parks and recreation folks were busy improving our facilities once again.
New pickleball courts were under construction on my first ride through the park in early May, and now this week they are almost complete. From the picture you can see the only things missing are the nets (and the players of course). It wouldn’t surprise me if the eight missing nets are there by the time I ride through the park this weekend. Having rallied for an hour in the Florida Keys with my “other brother Tom,” I admit I am a new pickleball convert. A rush of joy blew over me as I stopped to admire the fancy courts.
My hope is that these new courts will stay busy with seasoned pickleball players and new converts like me over the coming months and years. I continued on my ride through the park, and my heart filled with joy as I passed a mom and dad walking with three young children in strollers, several couples, one of whom dropped hands to let me ride between them, three teenage girls taking glamor shots with their smartphones, two young guys on mountain bikes, and grandparents walking close to two young children laughing and running circles around the older couple.
It does my heart good to see people out there enjoying nature, enjoying our park. When I heard the familiar happy birthday tune being sung to a five-year-old at the pavilion decorated with balloons and banners, I quietly sang along as I cruised by.
Sometimes sadness envelopes me as I travel across town or across this great country of ours and encounter empty or near-empty parks and playgrounds. But on this sunny day in early June, my heart sang with gladness as many of my fellow Calhounites and I took advantage of the outdoor facilities we are so lucky to have in our progressing community.
The best way to say thank you to our parks and recreation departments across the nation is to use the facilities they have built for us. Who knows what fresh developments await, but for now, let’s enjoy the progress in our own backyard. Pickleball anyone?
June 6, 2024 @ 6:04 pm
Well done!!! Yes let’s enjoy our own backyard! My family and I have made many a visit to our community park! Back in the planning stages my daughter Britni and I attended the meetings to voice our thoughts and ideas about what should be included in the expansion. We were advocating a dog park, since at the time my daughter lived right downtown and had two furry companions that she walked everywhere but alas, no place for them to romp and play! We were thrilled that it came to fruition even though she doesn’t live in town anymore! We are blessed to be in this community!
Our “backyard” consists of our you pick blueberry farm, which you know well! And I am glad you visit it! With opening day around the corner we are busy getting ready to make new friends too!
June 6, 2024 @ 9:55 pm
How cool that you had a say in the planning of our park, Cheryl! I rarely see dogs at our dog park, but I do love that we have one. And yes, I will be coming to your backyard soon. Can’t be here in Calhoun and not come pick your blueberries! Sweet Velo Blue, here I come!
June 6, 2024 @ 9:18 pm
Ms.Joy.
What a wonderful story. I always loved walking around my neighborhood. Plus I loved my own backyard with all my flowers ,and my veggie garden just waiting for the picking to can my tomatoes and jalapenos to make my Salsa and can peaches and pears I do miss those days, only thing Joy I had so much, I’d ship to our girls and still had so much Darrell would hand out to our friend at his job and I made sure all my neighbors got their fair share all I would ask that they return my jars for next years pickings it could get very pricy . I’d tell them no jars nothing for you my friend for next year, boy they made sure I’d get them back lol Joy I really do enjoy reading your blogs when I get my moments my Dear friend. Hope your traveling and enjoying yourself !!!!!!
Your friend Mia
June 6, 2024 @ 9:57 pm
Thanks for sharing, Mia! Making salsa is time consuming! I hope your friends and family appreciated the love that went into every jar. Bet you miss having your garden.
June 6, 2024 @ 9:47 pm
Great blog as usual! Sounds as though you will have lots to keep you busy over the coming months!
June 6, 2024 @ 9:59 pm
Thanks, Cuz! Did Tom read it? Yes, like I needed something else to keep me busy! Ha!
June 6, 2024 @ 9:49 pm
Great blog as usual! Sounds as though you have lots to keep you busy over the coming months!
June 9, 2024 @ 12:01 pm
When we see the place that we call “home” getting better it brings joy to the heart.
June 9, 2024 @ 10:04 pm
Well said, my friend. Well said!
June 22, 2024 @ 10:07 am
With so much technology available today, we all need to take a break and get outdoors more! Breathe the fresh air, and release some of your anxiety. Also, a great place to pray and be closer to our magnificent creator, God. Thank you, Joy, for reminding us to get out more!
June 23, 2024 @ 12:55 am
Love being outside and I love that you do too. Even reading in my own backyard is better than sitting inside. Thanks for sharing, Sherry.
July 1, 2024 @ 9:50 pm
The Gordon County pickleball group (which normally plays weekdays at Sonoraville) was excited to hear about the outdoor courts going in and kept us updated on the progress. It’s good to see the project close to being finished. If you want to play with some fun people, check out the group — they play regularly Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings at the rec center.
July 2, 2024 @ 11:26 pm
Thanks for the info.! My feet and knees won’t allow me to play much, so I won’t be joining any group like that, but it makes my heart sing to know there are that many people out there playing.