Richmond Hill adds 10 pop-up courts to meet pickleball demand

Richmond Green Park courts are available seven days a week, with residents invited to try out the game July 14 and 16

Newmarkettoday.ca
July 13, 2022

The City of Richmond Hill is responding to the growing popularity of pickleball by opening 10 “pop-up” seasonal pickleball courts at Richmond Green Park, available seven days of the week.

Nets will be set up Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to noon and Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., according to a City of Richmond Hill news release.

Players are welcome to bring their own nets at the times city nets are not provided.

Indoor and outdoor recreational pickleball drop-in programs are available at city facilities, including Rouge Woods Community Centre, Bayview Hill Community Centre, McConaghy Centre and Oak Ridges Community Centre. Residents can check for availability and register online.

Outdoor pickleball courts at King’s College Park and Town Park are open for the public to enjoy.

Residents are encouraged to try pickleball at Richmond Green on Thursday, July 14 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. or Saturday, July 16 from 9 a.m. to noon. Equipment will be available to borrow and light refreshments will be provided. Visit the website for details.

Richmond Hill council has also provided direction for the city to:

• Re-line existing badminton courts at Rouge Woods Community Centre (fall 2022)
• Re-line two tennis courts in Morgan Boyle Park and three tennis courts in Grovewood Park to facilitate combined tennis/pickleball play (fall 2023) -- community consultation will be undertaken to determine if this is supported by the area residents
• Build four pickleball courts (fall 2024) at Bayview Hill Park as part of its phased revitalization project

Planning is also underway for a new community pickleball facility to be located on the panhandle lands of the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Park. The process will include neighbourhood consultation.

In addition, the city is considering adding pickleball courts as part of the Town Park Revitalization Master Plan and the Mill Pond Park Revitalization Master Plan. Both plans are expected to be brought to council in early 2023.

“Pickleball continues to grow in popularity in Richmond Hill and across Ontario. It’s a great sport for people of all ages as it is a simple game and easy to learn. This sport helps people stay active, healthy and provides opportunities for residents to socialize with others in the community. We know our residents want more access and opportunity to play pickleball in the city and we have worked hard to find innovative ways to make that possible,” Mayor David West said.