Delaware pickleball: Where to find pickleball courts with new courts coming soon
As nicer weather sets in, another pickleball season commences.
If you and your friends haven’t picked up a paddle and a ball yet, you’re missing out. But luckily for you, Delaware is home to a growing population of pickleball players and courts.
Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a newbie eager to see what all the hype is about, here’s a guide to playing pickleball in Delaware.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball was created in 1975 by Washington state. Rep. Joel Pritchard. It is similar to tennis and requires little equipment or prior experience to begin.
An altered version of badminton, the game is fun for families to play together and can accommodate players of all ages and fitness levels.
Pickleball popularity
Pickleball has been the hot sport on the block recently, and according to the Association of Pickleball Professionals, the number of pickleball players has drastically increased in the last three years.
In recent years, the more prominent and faster-growing demographics of pickleball players have been players ages 55 and up and players under 24 years old, reports the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
Participation in pickleball trails only that of running and cycling.
Pickleball history: It's got a funny name, but Pickleball is growing in popularity in Delaware. How to play.
Where to play pickleball in Delaware
If pickleball has become the latest craze among your friends and you want to get more involved in the sport, Delaware has plenty of spots where you can set up and get a match going.
Pickleball players and clubs often use online sign-ups to reserve playing time or coordinate schedules with other groups to hold matches and tournaments.
Be sure to give any of these places a call before going out to learn about their availability, play times and fees.
New Castle County
D-Fit, 4905 Mermaid Boulevard, Pike Creek
Hockessin Community Recreation Center, 7259 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin
Mid-County Senior Center, 1st Regiment Road, Milltown
Delcastle Tennis Center, 710 McKennans Church Road, Milltown
Local YMCA locations including the Western Family YMCA; 2600 Kirkwood Highway, Ogletown, and the Bear-Glasgow YMCA, 351 George Williams Way, Glasgow
Bechtel Park, 1031 Naamans Road, Brandywine Hundred
Deacons Walk Park, 45 Ware Road, Pike Creek
Glasgow Park, 2275 Pulaski Highway, Glasgow
Greenbank Park, 250 Greenbank Road, Prices Corner
Siegel Jewish Community Center, 101 Garden of Eden Road, Talleyville
Southern Park, 1276 Shallcross Lake Road, Middletown
Brevoort Park, Shai Circle, Bear
Talley Day Park, 1308 Foulk Road, Wilmington
Fraim Center for Active Adults, 669 South Union Street, Wilmington
Townsend Tennis & Pickleball Court, 570 Chestnut Street, Townsend
Brandywine Park, 1101 Lovering Avenue, Wilmington
To stay up to date about New Castle County’s pickleball scene and playing locations, visit newcastlede.gov/pickleball.
Southern Delaware
Rehoboth Elementary School, 500 Stockley St., Rehoboth Beach
Courtside Pickleball & Tennis Club, 2117 Kenton Road, Dover
Sports at the Beach, 22518 Lewes Georgetown Highway, Georgetown
Plantations Dave Marshall Tennis and Fitness, 18464 Plantations Boulevard, Lewes
The Factory Sports Co., 17543 Nassau Commons Blvd., Lewes
John M. Clayton Elementary School, 252 Clayton Ave., Frankford
Kent County Recreation Center, 1683 New Burton Road, Dover
Evans Park, 32517 Dukes Drive, Millville
Memorial Park, 1 South Washington Street, Milford
Fly High Cheer and Tumble, 140 Sarah Circle, Camden
Dover Indoor Tennis, 633 Persimmon Tree Lane, Dover
New pickleball courts
In 2023, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer’s fiscal year 2024 budget address included plans for 24 new pickleball courts throughout the county, with a proposed $26 million going into sports and recreation in the area.
Since then, plenty of courts have been created or refurbished around the county, with the courts at Delcastle Park in Milltown currently under construction and expected to open by summer, according to Brian Cunningham, a spokesperson for the county.
In Meyer’s final budget address as New Castle County executive, the fiscal year 2025 budget pledges a $30 million investment in the 251 New Castle County State parks.
The investment in parks will bring the county’s total number of pickleball courts to 51 by next year, said Meyer.
In early March, construction began on the long-awaited Nylon Capital Center in Seaford, a $60 million project that will revitalize the 285,000-square-foot Nylon Capital Shopping Center and turn it into a mixed-use hub.
As part of the renovation, recreational opportunities will be provided, including pickleball and bocce courts and bowling.
Do you know of any pickleball courts not mentioned on this list? Contact Krys'tal Griffin at kgriffin@delawareonline.com.
This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Pickleball courts, facilities in Delaware, new pickleball courts soon