Rick Patrick: Greene Publishing, Inc.
Those residents of Madison who desire to get in a couple sets of tennis, now have brand new courts on which to enjoy the game. The new tennis courts, located at Lanier Field have now been completed and are open to the tennis-playing-public.
The tennis courts were completed with grants from the Florida Recreational Development Assistance Program (FRDAP) and an $11,300 grant from the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Construction on the tennis courts began in July of this year. The FRDAP program was developed in order to help communities develop and acquire outdoor recreational equipment, etc.
In addition to the tennis courts at Lanier Field, upgrades have been made to Sumpter James Park off Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave. A covered picnic area, playground equipment, a horseshoe pit and shuffleboard courts have been added. Funding for the Sumpter James Park upgrades came from grants from FRDAP and the Health Department. Concrete has also been poured at Sumpter James Park for the addition of a basketball court. Construction for the basketball court will continue over the coming weeks.
“[These additions have] become quite an asset for the community,” said Madison City Manager Tim Bennett.