Families enjoying Echo Dale on Thursday June 30 (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Fun in the sun: locals embrace affordable city gems heading into long weekend

Jun 30, 2022 | 3:59 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – The sun is out, and so is school. Summer vacation season is officially here but with gas prices sky-high, some Hatters are staying put, instead choosing to spend their vacation time enjoying some local gems.

“As a family we love to come to Echo Dale. I mean we are so fortunate to have such a beautiful park that accommodates our grandchildren so well,” one woman said.

Open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Echo Dale Park offers the opportunity to cool down from the summer heat and soak up the summer heat.

“I’m making sandcastles,” one boy said.

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Another big hit is taking in all 155 kilometres of trails in the city.

“We love to just bike around, especially on these trails and stuff it is lots of fun,” one cyclist said.

The summer holidays also mean more time to pick up a new sport. The Medicine Hat Pickleball Club has programs for people of all ages.

“We have players that are six to 80-plus, and so along with our junior program we also have learn to play, we have skills and drills, we have open play we have competitive play, we have ladder play, we have round-robin play. So there really is a level of play for everybody you don’t have to be competitive and you certainly don’t have to have a lot of sports background,” said Brenda Lea MacPhail.

For those who prefer to be a spectator, pickleball provincials will be taking place at their brand new 20-court facility next to the Big Marble Go Centre from July 8-11.

“We will truly be crowning provincial champions. We have about 440 players coming. It’s open to the public, you don’t have to be a member to come out.” MacPhail said.

Once again proving that summer fun can be found right here in your own backyard.

“Every weekend there is something beautiful in Medicine Hat to do with our wonderful grandchildren. We are so fortunate,” one woman said.