This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Health & Fitness

Adults in Amherst need recreation facilities too

I appreciate the efforts that many in the community have made to ensure sufficient and proper playing fields for the youth in our community. As many of you know, I am a vocal and active supporter of youth involvement in all forms of “play”, including not just team sports but also individual activities. Many of us are working to improve safer walking and bike riding paths. Others have helped make possible Zumba classes in all the schools for both students and staff. There are many ways to improve the mental and physical health of our citizens and all need to be attended to to enable the broadest possible participation.

It is possible that the latest concentration on youth sports fields have resulted in a loss of focus on the other Town facilities. Years of postponement of investment in repairs and maintenance, while other “squeakier wheels get oiled” have now left facilities used by a great many of us needing some serious attention and funding.  The pictures provided are an example of the problems that can result. The three tennis courts at Clark School, heavily used by many of all ages, are now filled with grass growing through weathered cracks in the surface. Other spots can cause tripping and rolled ankles, as roots start to push up. Icing and thawing have created a myriad of cracks in the surface. In short, they are a wreck and an embarrassment. I, for one, would be unwilling to run a youth tennis program on those courts in their current condition.

While mulling over my complaint, consider how badly the town needs places for “adults” to exercise. It is nearly impossible to find a place to “shoot hoops” or play sandlot basketball, as the few courts are packed with youth leagues of BB and volleyball. The Town tennis courts are important to Amherst and too valuable an asset to simply allow to “crash and burn”. The Town Recreation Director has had the repair of the courts on her “bucket list” for a few years but other priorities always take away the needed resources.

Find out what's happening in Amherstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Any thoughts or suggestions by concerned citizens would be appreciated.

Thanks, Rick Katzenberg

Find out what's happening in Amherstwith free, real-time updates from Patch.




We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?