NC H260

Appropriates $10,112 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2023-2024 to North Carolina State University's Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management for a pickleball diversity pilot program in Wake County.

Program activities include conducting at least two focus groups with people of color, creating branded marketing materials, coordinating community marketing across websites and social media, and holding four-week sessions in fall 2023 and spring 2024 at Method Road and Chavis recreation centers in Raleigh.

Requires post-program evaluation and creation of a toolkit for implementation by parks and recreation departments and community organizations across North Carolina.

Addresses pickleball's underrepresentation among people of color despite its public health benefits, low cost of entry, ease of play, and availability through public recreational facilities.

Funds do not revert and remain available to the Department for the specified purposes.