This-N-That
Pickleball Report: 36.5M Adults Played in 2022
Chicago, Ill.—The Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP)—the original and pre-eminent professional, amateur and recreational pickleball organization in the USA and worldwide since 2019—has unveiled the 2023 APP Pickleball Participation Report, a study conducted by YouGov on behalf of the APP that shows that pickleball, America’s fastest growing sport, has enjoyed even higher growth than previously thought with 14 percent of adult Americans (36.5 million people) playing at least once in the 12-month period August 2021 to August 2022; and 8.5 million people playing pickleball eight times or more in the same period. The rapid rise of pickleball also looks set to continue, with 45 percent of the 36.5 million total players saying they plan to play pickleball more often in the next six months than the previous six-month period. The report was compiled with the research team polling a sample group of nearly 2,500 nationally representative adults ages 18+ across America. For more information, visit https://apptour.org.
Raising The Woof
A big round of a-paws goes to the West. Eight of the top 10 that were determined to be most ideal for strolling with your pup are in this region. LawnStarter ranked 2023’s best cities to walk your dog by comparing the 200 biggest U.S. cities based on walkability, safety, pup-friendly trail access, and professional dog-walking availability.
Best Cities:
San Francisco, Calif.
Colorado Springs, Colo.
Glendale, Calif.
Portland, Ore.
Oakland, Calif.
Los Angeles, Calif.
San Diego, Calif.
Boise, Idaho
Fremont, Calif.
Naperville, Ill.
For a full ranking, visit https://www.lawnstarter.com/blog/studies/best-cities-walk-your-dog/.
Profile Products Opens New Manufacturing Facility In Georgia
Buffalo Grove, Ill.—Profile Products, a global agriscience technology manufacturer, opened its new manufacturing plant in Monticello, Ga. The investment expands the company’s wood fiber production capacity by 50 percent while initially creating 80 new local jobs. The new facility features state-of-the-art technology, improves logistics and enhances safety and quality-control systems for Profile’s product lines. The location will produce wood-based erosion control technologies as well as Profile’s flagship horticulture product, HydraFiber advanced substrate. To learn more, visit profileproducts.com.
Field Notes:
Johnson Health Tech promoted two key leaders on the global product development and marketing team. Andrew Kolman has been named Vice President of Global Product Development, where he will oversee global product management, product development, and industrial design, focusing primarily on the Matrix product portfolio. Patty Parrott has been named Vice President of Global Marketing, where she will continue to oversee the efforts of the global brand marketing team, which she helped develop in 2010.
Altoz, a manufacturer of outdoor power equipment and the industry's first tracked mowers and tracked compact tool carrier, hired Mike Lane as the Events and Merchandising Manager. He will manage events, including industry trade shows, and corporate and dealer events. He will also oversee merchandising efforts for the brand.
Schmidt Associates, a regional architecture, engineering, and interior design firm, named Kathryn Giles, MBA, as business development representative for the firm’s Louisville office. She will be responsible for establishing connections within the business community and working with key decision-makers and designers to improve the Midwest’s built environment in the areas of K-12, higher education, community, and healthcare.
Letters:
Well Wishes And Looking Forward
Just wanted to drop you a note and let you know that I enjoyed your article about the next chapter in your life (“From Student To Teacher,” PRB Nov. 2022 by Ron Ciancutti).
I am looking forward to when I will be on the 7-day weekend plan and have the freedom to choose what I want to do when I want to do it as opposed to what I have to do and when it needs to be done.
I wish you many years of happy, healthy retirement.
Doug Peters
Regional Sales Manager
Zamboni Company USA, Inc.
City Celebrates Milestone on Imagine Clearwater Project
Clearwater, Fla.—City staff members, construction crew members, and dignitaries celebrated at a Topping Out ceremony for Imagine Clearwater at Coachman Park, culminating in the placement of the highest canopy piece on the project’s new bandshell.
The milestone marked progress on the $84-million redevelopment of the park, which includes the 4,000-seat structure, and additional space for 5,000 more eventgoers on the bandshell lawn.
Construction is expected to be completed in July on 19 acres of redeveloped park, including 4 acres of flexible event space, new bathrooms, a splash pad, a playground with $1.2 million in equipment, a lake with a pedestrian bridge, and picnic pavilions, among other amenities.
Wooster Products Adds Webstaurantstore.com As Distributor
Wooster, Ohio—Wooster Products, a provider of anti-slip safety stair treads and walkway products, has added Webstaurantstore.com as a new distributor. They will offer the FlexMaster and Stairmaster brands of Wooster Products safety stair treads, as well as Flex-Tred anti-slip tapes, and Safe Stride anti slip paint. These products are ideal for new construction, renovation, and industrial safety. In addition to restaurants and foodservice facilities, Wooster Products are installed in schools and universities, public buildings, multi-family environments, sports stadiums and arenas of all sizes, transportation venues, retail stores, shopping centers, and more.
In addition to Wooster Products, Webstaurantstore.com offers products from manufacturers such as Ballymore Safety Ladders, Wesco Industrial Products, Magliner hand trucks, BenchPro worktables, Regency Space Solutions, Lavex Industrial Supplies, and more.