Highland’s pickleball courts opened July 6

Retired Highland dentist Byron Barker returned to a familiar place on July 6, the first day of open play at Highland’s new pickleball courts in Spindler Park. Barker said he played on the original tennis courts during the ‘70s while attending Highland High School, logging “hundreds and hundreds of hours” on the courts. A former Highland High School girls’ tennis coach, Barker described how seeing the courts transformed into a modern pickleball facility brought back memories. Though he doesn’t consider himself an avid pickleball player, he looks forward to playing on the courts and believes the facility is “a nice addition for the community.” (Brittany Blackwell photos)