# Boomer-Friendly Entertainment Spaces Smash Park Combines Food & Drinks with Low-Impact Activities By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2017-10-19 | Business Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smash-park References: [desmoinesregister](http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/news/local/west-des-moines/2017/10/18/food-beer-pickleball-and-more-smash-park-coming-west-des-moines/749764001/) Capitalizing on the growing popularity of pickelball among baby boomers and senior citizens, entrepreneurs Monty and Kerri Lockyear are looking to bring a new entertainment space called Smash Park to Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to several [pickleball courts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickleball-canada), Smash Park will also offer other low-impact sports such as bowling, indoor golf, bocce ball, and ping pong. These activities will be complimented by a range of bars and restaurants that will serve up everything from chef-inspired street food, to local beers. The idea is to combine [food, drink, and play](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/oche) in one place that is accessible to older consumers and their families. While Smash Park may seem like a entertainment venue fit for millennials, the combination of low-impact sports such as Pickellball with food and drinks makes it the perfect gathering place for older consumers looking for a comfortable place to socialize. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 86% | Activity: 94% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Business](https://www.trendhunter.com/business) > [New Ventures](https://www.trendhunter.com/newventures) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Growing Popularity of Pickelball Among Baby Boomers and Senior Citizens:** Creating entertainment spaces that cater to the interests of older consumers and offer low-impact activities, such as Pickleball, can tap into a growing market. - **Combining Food, Drink, and Play in One Place:** Integrating a range of dining options and entertainment activities in one location can provide a unique and convenient experience for consumers of all ages. - **Accessibility for Older Consumers and Their Families:** Designing spaces that are accessible and comfortable for older consumers and their families can attract a loyal customer base. ### Who This Affects Most - **Entertainment and Recreation:** The entertainment and recreation industry can benefit from creating immersive spaces that combine food, drink, and low-impact activities tailored to older consumers. - **Hospitality and Food Services:** The hospitality and food services industry can explore the opportunity of combining dining experiences with entertainment activities to attract a wider range of customers, including older demographics. - **Sports and Leisure:** The sports and leisure industry can capitalize on the popularity of low-impact activities like Pickelball among older consumers by creating dedicated spaces that cater to their interests and provide a social environment. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Large-Scale Indoor Pickleball Clubs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pickleball-club.md) - [Age-Friendly Retail Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/livable-home.md) - [Accelerated Pickleball Expansions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/inclusive-place-of-pickleball.md) - [Early Retirement Communities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-cantinas.md) - [Boomer-Targeted Luxury Resorts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palm-lake-resort-yamba-cove.md) - [Flavorful Pickleball Celebrations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/smirnoff-smash-vodka-soda-pickleball.md) - [Upbeat Bowling Venues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-ballroom-bowl-expands.md) - [Social Sports Pavilions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ballers-sports-venue.md) - [Age-Inclusive Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hasbro-5.md)