The fun family activity is currently the fastest growing sport in the United States. According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), approximately three million people play in the U.S. and the sport has had a more than 600 percent increase in players in the last five years. Pickleball is a combination of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It can be played indoors or out on a doubles badminton-sized court (20’X24’) with a slightly modified tennis net. The same court is used for doubles or singles. Some places have specific pickleball courts, while others modify an existing badminton or tennis court.
The aspects that people enjoy about pickleball is that is can be played by people of all ages and skill levels, can be played as singles or doubles, and it is inexpensive to play. In order to play, you will need a pickleball paddle and balls. Most paddles today are made from lightweight composite materials such as aluminum and graphite. The paddles are smaller than a tennis racquet, but larger than a ping-pong paddle. The ball is unique from other sports and has holes in it. There are different balls for indoor and outdoor use. Balls come in a variety of colors, but need to be a solid color to be official. If you are not playing on a private or public court, and would like to play at home, you will also need to get pickleball
net which is 36” high at the sidelines and 34” in the middle.
Although the game has been around since 1965, it is just in the last few years that it has reached this level of popularity. Three dads raising their kids outside of Seattle on Bainbridge Island in 1965, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, created the game for their children who were bored with their usual summertime activities. It has since evolved to a sport with official rules and equipment and is played throughout the United States and Canada, and picking up speed in European and Asian countries as well. Some schools are starting to offer the sport as part of their physical education programs and it is now popping up at parks, camps, country clubs, sports facilities, and retirement communities.
Here are some nearby pickleball courts and clubs you can check out:
Brookside Racquet & Swim Club
480 Brookside Ave
Allendale, NJ 07401
(201) 825-2665
Has 7 outdoor pickleball courts
Fee: $10
City Sports On 4
62 Route 4 East
Englewood, NJ 07631
(201) 567-1111
info@citysportson4.com
Tuesdays from 10:00 am—2:00 pm
$14 fee
Dudiak Park – Clifton
25 Stony Hill Road
Clifton, NJ 07013
Dudiak Park
https://www.facebook.com/cliftonpickleball/ cliftonpickleball@gmail.com
Free
Fair Lawn Racquet Club
11-19 Saddle River Road
Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Website
Weekday Afternoons And Weekends
Fee: $10 Per Session
Contact George Cheah 2018578906 - Send Email
Florham Park Recreation Department
107 Ridgedale Ave,
Florham Park, NJ
Contact: Michele@MDPickleball.net
They feature two paint-lined tennis courts making 4 pickleball courts with portable nets that are stored safely in a shed by the courts. TeamReach is used to coordinate play sessions.
Fort Lee Courts
Fort Lee, NJ and William Birch Park Pickleball Courts
1500 Stillwell Ave.
Fort Lee, New Jersey 07024
Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9 am, and other days (check website)
Fee: Resident of Fort Lee pays $5 for use card
For more information contact Norman Levy at (201)913-4076 - Send Email
Ridgewood Pickleball Central
Upper Ridgewood Tennis Club
915 Glenview Rd
Ridgewood, NJ 07450
(201) 447-1503
Offers introductory clinics, practice drills, kids & family programs, open play days, and a variety of open competition programs. Pickleball paddles, balls, and equipment can be purchased on-site.
Leonia Courts
Overpeck Park-Ridgefield Park Pickleball Courts
40 Fort Lee Road
Leonia, NJ 07605
All levels of play on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays at 8:30 am in Summer, later in Fall and Spring.
Beginner lessons available. Play is on modular court tiles.
7 days a week. Daylight and night lights. Groups on M-W-F at 8:30 am
Free
For more information contact Norman Levy at 2019134076 - Send Email
Oakland
Sky Pickleball
63 Oak Street
Oakland, NJ 07436
Monday & Thursday 6:30-9:00pm, Saturdays 9:00am-11:30
$12 fee
For more information contact John Garvin at (914) 409 6659 - Send Email
Township of Washington
Bethany Community Center
605 Pascack Rd , Bergen County
Township of Washington, NJ 07676
Brand new facility. Three courts with permanent play lines in the large gym. Open play is drop in. Skill level play and clinics are reservation only. Email premierpickleball@gmail.com for the link to the schedule and to sign up for skill level play. Indoor runs Sept.- June. No outdoor courts at this time.
ForeverYoung Pickleball Program Westwood
The tennis court located on the west side of the McKinley Park facility is reserved for open Play pickleball on:
- Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays: 9am-12pm
- Tuesdays and Thursdays: 5pm-8pm
- Saturdays: 9am-12pm
(schedule subject to change)
We have installed a storage box with 2 pickleball nets inside. Once registered, players will be given the code to the combo lock. All players must be registered with the Recreation Department. This is a free program for Westwood residents. For More Information Call 201-664-7882. If you’d like to join our Pickleball Program, please register via Community Pass.
Pickleball Program (Northern New Jersey)
Northern, NJ
To join a group contact: Steve Lavorgna:
killshot@optonline.net
They have over 25 active players, mostly novices. Games usually take place on Monday, Thursday, and Saturday mornings, and occasionally on a Sunday evening. Games can be arranged at Fredon (near Sparta), Hacketstown, Wayne, and other Northern NJ places
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