One of the fastest-growing sports in the nation will have a home in Amarillo as Amarillo National Tennis Center (ANTC), in conjunction with the Alex O’Brien Tennis Foundation, officially opens the ANTC Padel Courts with a ribbon cutting event at 11:30 a.m. Sunday (October 19). The public is welcome. Padel is a smaller, fast-paced combination of tennis and squash played on a smaller court with walls in play. “The padel courts are a great addition to the Amarillo National Tennis Center,” said City of Amarillo Director of Parks and Recreation Michael Kashuba. “Padel is really taking off across the country, and as more people play the sport its popularity is sure to grow. The City of Amarillo is grateful to the Alex O’Brien Tennis Foundation for helping make these courts possible for the entire Amarillo community to enjoy.” Following the ribbon cutting event, padel/learn-to-play instruction will be available along with an open house from noon to 4 p.m. The public can also meet new ANTC Head Professional Nina Pulliam.

A water main break Wednesday has resulted in the temporary closure of S.W. 34th Ave. between Bowie Street and Hawthorne Street. It is estimated the repair project will be completed next week, depending on weather conditions. Further updates will be released as they become available. Motorists are asked to use alternate routes while the repair project is ongoing.

A unique collaboration between City of Amarillo (COA) departments has resulted in an even more unique playground for the entire Amarillo community. Thanks to grant money from the COA Community Development Department, the COA Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) has funded the new Thompson Park Playground, a one-of-a-kind playground designed to welcome children and adults of all abilities. A ribbon-cutting for the new Thompson Park Playground is set for 5:30 p.m. on Friday (October 17) at Thompson Park. The public is welcome to attend. “The entire Amarillo community can appreciate this investment in our parks,” said PARD Director Michael Kashuba. “The Community Development Department grant made it all possible. We are excited to officially present this special playground to Amarillo.” Funding for the playground was made possible through a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and bond totaling approximately $1.97 million. The playground provides play opportunities to children of all abilities in communities in the CDBG areas. The playground is designed to support many physical, sensory, cognitive and developmental needs. It promotes social interaction and ensures every child can participate in meaningful, active play. “This playground is such an important investment in the future of the city,” said Community Development Managing Director Jason Riddlespurger. “We were thrilled to be able to help with the grant funding and to work with our Parks and Recreation Department. This is something the whole city can celebrate.”

For the first time in more than a decade, hot air balloons will fill the Amarillo sky as the City of Amarillo Parks and Recreation Department (along with Pirates of the Canyon) provides “Pirates of the Park.” The unique and free to the public two-part event will feature 25 hot air balloons taking off from John Stiff Memorial Park on October 25 beginning at 7 a.m. Parking lots to watch the takeoff open at 5 a.m. Evening festivities include trick-or-treating for kids from the hot air balloons beginning at 6 p.m. and a Balloon Glow event at 7 p.m. “Pirates of the Park brings back a fun and exciting event for the Amarillo community,” said City of Amarillo Assistant Director of Parks and Recreation (PARD) Becki Dryer. “This is a unique two-part event that residents can enjoy throughout the day.” Pirates of the Park includes: For more information, go to: www.amarilloparks.org/programs-events/capture-the-season