Spokane opens renovated sports and pickleball courts at Underhill Park

City of Spokane Parks and Recreation officials and community partners held a morning ribbon-cutting ceremony at Underhill Park in the East Central neighborhood to mark completion of renovated sports courts and new pickleball facilities.

City parks director Garrett Jones said the project was intended to serve neighborhood children and residents. "This is what it's all about. It's about these kids, behind us," Jones said, thanking partners and volunteers who helped the project reach completion.

The renovation was funded by the City of Spokane Parks and Recreation with a matching grant from the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO) and additional support from the Spokane Hoopfest Association, Dick's Sporting Goods and other local donors. Don Poland, tribal affairs director for the RCO, said the office invests state bond proceeds through programs such as the youth athletic facilities fund and noted the agency has helped fund dozens of Spokane projects. "I'm very excited to be with you today to help celebrate this ribbon cutting," Poland said.

Why it matters: park officials…