St. Louis' 'Sunday Serve Us' Brings Free Tennis to Benton Park
St. Louis residents are enjoying free and low-cost tennis instruction at parks near me, thanks to 'Sunday Serve Us' clinics. These sessions, held every second Sunday, attract around 30 to 50 people each time, with many youngsters from the neighborhood joining in wearing casual clothes. The clinics, organized by the People's Art and Recreation Center (PARC) in partnership with Breakpoint Tennis & Life Skills Academy, provide spare rackets for participants. This ensures anyone can join and play tennis, regardless of experience or equipment. The sessions are split by age and experience, followed by open play. Previously underutilized, the tennis courts at Benton Park now see consistent use due to these clinics. The initiative is the brainchild of PARC owner Christopher Loss and Natalie Johnson, an associate creative director at Caleres. They envision expanding the clinics to include other sports like kickball and basketball leagues. The main challenge, however, is the need for more instructors to facilitate this growth. The 'Sunday Serve Us' clinics have successfully brought people to parks near me, fostering a love for tennis among residents. With plans to expand to other parts of the city and launch organized efforts throughout each region, the future looks promising. However, securing more instructors will be key to realizing this vision.
