Multiple U.S. Cities Expand Pickleball Courts Transforming Tennis Areas

Several communities are expanding recreational facilities to accommodate the growing popularity of pickleball, a sport combining elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. Hoboken, New Jersey, recently opened an expanded Southwest Resiliency Park that doubles the original park's size and includes six new pickleball courts alongside other amenities like a basketball court and splash pad, while also enhancing flood control with stormwater management features. In Killeen, Texas, the city is converting a tennis court at Long Branch Park into four new pickleball courts with a $25,000 project funded partially by a matching grant from Texas Parks and Wildlife, responding to strong community demand. The renovations in Killeen will require temporary closure of the tennis courts for resurfacing and installation, and the project is expected to be completed within two weeks. Additionally, Burbank is undertaking resurfacing projects for both tennis and pickleball courts at Verdugo and Maxam Parks to improve safety and play quality. These efforts reflect a nationwide trend to increase access to pickleball facilities amid its rapid growth as a recreational sport.