FARMINGTON — The Farmington Parks and Recreation’s pickleball program is seeing a high turnout of participants.

The program is held from 7 to 9 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays in the Farmington Community Center and costs $2 a person each night. Everyone over 18 is welcome, and all the equipment needed is supplied by the Farmington Recreation Department.

The Rec Department also offers a free pickleball program for seniors from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesdays as part of the Senior Socials program.

Sharon Monroe, a four-year veteran of the program, said she not only enjoys the play but the people as well. “I really like the game,” she assured, “but I play it as a social experience.”

Monroe, who learned to play pickleball from an adult education class, also said, “It’s much easier to learn through immersing yourself in a game.” She continued, “You don’t need to know how to play to come.”

Stephanie Rackliffe, a newcomer who has only played a matter of hours, can attest to what Monroe said. Introduced to the game by her husband Caleb Rackliffe, she said, “It’s nice to get off the couch.” She added, “It acts as a kind of date night away from the kids.”

Pickleball was first brought to Farmington by local artist, calligrapher and owner of Signworks, Mike Monahan, in the fall of 2012, and has been going strong ever since.

Bob Cavaliere has been there since the outset of the pickleball program, playing the first day, and nearly every day following. “It’s just so convenient,” he said, “I don’t feel like I’m limited in my play.”

Cavaliere also said, “There are good players here who promise to give you a good game,” and that “every game is a workout, no matter the skill level.”

Players can expect to play about 10 games a night, depending on the volume of players on the given night.

FMI: 207-778-3464.

This panoramic photograph shows community members playing pickleball at the Farmington Recreation Center.

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