We are starting the fourth week of the New Year and I would like to say that I have stuck to my New Year's Resolution of getting in shape, but that would not be true. There have been days when I have found myself spending most of the afternoon and evening driving kids to and from their work-outs for the day (soccer, basketball, dance, etc) and my opportunities to exercise have vanished. It is really too bad that pushing a gas pedal doesn't count as a work-out!
But I am determined to get my family fit and find ways that we can do it together. While we were accomplishing one of my other New Year's Resolutions of cleaning out the garage, the kids were excited to find tennis rackets buried under boxes from the move. So another adventure was born...finding some tennis courts and seeing if this could be the sport for our family.
There are 10 city parks that have tennis courts available for the community. Three of the parks charge a small fee to pay and seven of the parks have courts that are free to play on. The fees are very reasonable, something even this single mom of six can afford. For the locations of the parks go to www.talgov.com.
Since none of us are going to be the next Venus or Serena Williams, I figured I needed to find some courts that were free and find a time where there wouldn't be a whole lot of people on the surrounding courts that would fall victim to our out of control tennis balls. We went to Myers and Lafayette Parks where there is no fee to play from sun up until sun down. Both are located right in the heart of town and very accessible. My favorite part about both parks is that there is a playground right next to the courts and a really nice hiking trail to check out when you are done attempting to play.
Wimbledon might not be in any of our futures, but we sure did have fun playing. I have heard of singles and doubles, but at one point we were playing quadruples. We played for hours or at least made great attempts at learning the game and laughing a lot.
In doing my research on where we could go play, I was surprised to learn that Tallahassee hosts many tennis tournaments and offers lessons at many of the locations. My youngest daughter has even decided to sign up for lessons at one of the parks. So whether you are visiting Tallahassee and looking for a place to play tennis during your stay or if you are a resident looking to pick up the game, be sure and go to www.talgov.com to find out more information on where to go swing a racket!
Tags: Family, Outdoors, Park, Tallahassee, Tennis
Blythe NewsomeBlythe Newsome is a single mother of six children ages 6,8,10,12,14 and 16. While a morning radio show host, her family was featured on an episode of the Supernanny in 2007. The reality of this single mom who spends her days getting GI Joes out of the toilet, explaining to her girls that you can not cut your hair like you do your Barbie’s, convincing herself that ketchup on a hotdog counts as a vegetable and letting America see what hides underneath her couch cushions made her family one of “America’s Most Asked About Families” from the show according to producers. ABC came back to film the 100th episode which aired in March 2010. When not playing the role of nurse, teacher, chef, referee, taxi driver, coach, or housekeeper, she writes a syndicated column called Flirting with Forty.
“As a Tallahassee native, I am passionate about this city, raising my children here and I am always searching for new adventures for us. When people think about a vacation, this is the place to come. The city is rich in history, annual events and provides people of all ages with something to do”. Each week Blythe and her children will share with you the stories and pictures of the adventures that are waiting for you in Tallahassee!
