In the summer of 1965, Joel Pritchard and Bill Bell were playing golf when their children, bored at Pritchard’s home, wanted to play badminton. When Pritchard and Bell couldn’t find the proper equipment, they had their kids use table tennis paddles, a wiffle ball, and a badminton net. After a while, they lowered the net, and between Pritchard, Bell, and friend Barney McCallum, pickleball was born. With an uptick in popularity during the months of quarantine, this sport is easy to learn, and you can find a court almost anywhere. If you are a seasoned player or looking to get started, here are some pickleball opportunities near you!
Saratoga Springs
From dusk till dawn, East Side Recreation Park has ten new and lighted outdoor pickleball courts. The courts are open to all on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s a great place to learn or play a few pickup games to get a workout in!
Saratoga Springs Recreation Center
The Saratoga Springs Recreation Center has nine indoor pickleball courts available for drop-in sessions on select days. Since the Saratoga Springs Recreation Department manages the Center, you must sign up for a community pass, and a small drop-in fee is required to be on the courts. The courts are also on a first-come, first-served basis.
If you’re looking for a fun way to spend the weekend outdoors with your family, Gavin Park offers more than just one sport. Along with indoor and outdoor pickleball courts, the park has 15 athletic and baseball fields, batting cages, a playground, basketball courts, and a facility with two gyms. On weekday mornings, they offer pickleball for a small fee for special programs.
The YMCA offers open-play pickleball sessions for all skill levels. However, you must have a membership and pre-register for the class.
*Members only
Ballston Spa
This membership club has a state-of-the-art facility that includes eight indoor courts with cushion court systems and a soundproof system. Also in the works, Legacy Pickleball Club plans to add 15-20 outdoor courts.
*Members only
Clifton Park
Looking for a relaxing game of pickleball? Clifton Knoll, a local park, has a tennis court that doubles as a pickleball court. Find it adjacent to the Locust Lane swimming pool and Clifton Park Center Road.