A vacant lot along downtown Louisville’s historic West Main Street was renovated into Baird Urban Sports Park, a new sports venue with Wiffle Ball courts and pickleball courts.
“Baird is very committed to revitalizing downtown Louisville and turning a vacant lot into a community sports venue in the heart of downtown for pickleball, and Wiffle Ball games meet that goal perfectly,” said Jim Allen, Baird vice chairman. “We firmly believe that a vibrant downtown is essential to the overall health and growth of the region.”
The idea to transform the lot at 615 W. Main St. for a sports park started in 2021 when Metro Parks proposed the idea. Previously known as RePurposed, this 20,000 square meter lot had only been used for short-term events or pop-up events.
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“The beauty of RePurposed is that it’s a blank canvas for events of all kinds,” said Rebecca Fleischaker, executive director of the Louisville Downtown Partnership.
There are currently seven other pickleball courts across Louisville, but the two courts at Baird Urban Sports Park will be the only ones in the heart of downtown.
This sports park was revitalized through the collaboration of Baird, the YMCA, Louisville Parks and Recreation and the Louisville Downtown Partnership. It took a week to paint the park and signage is still under development.
The goal of the sports park is to attract employees to return downtown to their offices by hosting leisure activities that take place right after work.
“We hope downtown businesses will put together teams as a fun activity, but the park is open to individuals of all ages to participate in some friendly competition,” Fleischaker said.
From September through October, there will be an opportunity for people to join a league and compete in Wiffle Ball games on Thursdays and pickleball on Wednesdays. Both leagues start play at 5:30 p.m. Registration is now open and the first matches are scheduled for August 31st and September 1st. The league seasons are set to end on October 26 and 27.
In the spring and summer of 2023, the Louisville Downtown Partnership hopes to add additional forms of play to use this space.
For those who wish to register a six-person wiffle ball team, it will cost $300. Pickleball teams of two can expect to pay $50 to participate in the fall league.
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According to the plan, the sports park is only open from 17.30 to 19.30. Wednesdays and Thursdays for league play. Work is being done to put together a schedule that allows for open playtime throughout the week. When the sports park is not actively used, it can be reserved for events.
Baird fully funded the party’s transformation. Fleischaker estimates it has cost $25,000 so far, but notes the sports park isn’t finished yet.
Baird is an investment company and financial company. The company has been a member of the Louisville community since 1854 and currently maintains a downtown office. The sports park is only a few minutes from the company’s office. Baird also has a partnership with the Professional Pickleball Association.
“Baird Urban Sports Park is a fun and creative way to bring Louisville residents back downtown by providing a venue for pickleball and Wiffle Ball league games, two games that are growing in popularity.”
Contact reporter Olivia Evans at oevans@courier-journal.com or on Twitter at @oliviamevans_
