Richmond Hill residents invited to play pickleball at 10 pop-up courts at Richmond Green Park

These pop-up courts have been added in response to the growing demand for facilities to play pickleball in the community

Yorkregion.com
July 21, 2022
Sheila Wang

Whether you are an avid “pickler” or just eager to try your hands at pickleball, the City of Richmond Hill is offering more opportunities for people to enjoy one of Canada’s fastest growing sports this summer.

The city has installed 10 pop-up seasonal pickleball courts at Richmond Green Park, which are available seven days per week.

The nets will be set up from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on and Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. They are located at the northwest side of the park, off the ring road toward the Richmond Green Skateboarding Park, near parking lot D.

Players are welcome to bring their own nets at the times when city nets are not provided. Access to the courts is open while the Richmond Green Park is open, typically from 8 a.m. to dusk.

These pop-up courts have been added in response to the growing demand for facilities to play pickleball in the community.

“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,” Mayor David West said.

As a combination of tennis, badminton and table tennis, pickleball is played with a paddle that has a honeycomb core and a plastic ball with holes in it.

Pickleball Canada’s 2022 survey shows there are now one million individual Canadians playing pickleball at least once a month, with 45 per cent playing four or more times a month.

Currently, the city offers indoor and outdoor recreational pickleball drop-in programs 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 at RichmondHill.ca/ActiveRH. The outdoor pickleball courts at King’s College Park and Town Park are open for the public to enjoy.

A new community pickleball facility is currently in the planning process and expected to be located on the panhandle lands of the Richmond Hill David Dunlap Observatory Park. The process will include local 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.