Serving a ball over a pickleball net and soaring through a quarter pipe on a skateboard are about as different as two recreational pasttimes can be.

Now, people are able to do both of those things at new facilities in Fort Dodge.

A new skate park that is three times the size of the city’s Dean Hearn Skateboard Park is north of the former Sunkissed Meadows Golf Course on the riverfront. This park was designed based on input from local skaters. And it is not limited to skateboards. If something has wheels, but no motor, it is welcome at the park. That means scooters, roller skates and bicycles can be used there.

There are four new pickleball courts along North 32nd Street near the Rosedale Rapids Aquatics Center. These courts were built at the request of the growing number of pickleball players in the community who for years made due with using playground basketball courts.

Those are the latest investments in recreation and quality of life the Fort Dodge City Council has committed to. Both opened this summer. The lasting value of them should be unquestionable.

Everyone likes to have fun things to do. Sometimes those fun things require more facilities or space than one person can afford. But the local government can provide parks and other facilities so that lots of people can enjoy those fun things. When those amenities are provided, the quality of life for many is increased.

This is even more important in an era when communities must have recreation and quality-of-life amenities if they want to keep and attract residents. Technology has made it possible for many people to do their work from just about anywhere. Communities that can’t offer the quality of life they are seeking won’t be able to compete in this environment.

The skateboard park and pickleball courts should be considered welcome additions to our community.