“Bringing Pickleball to Fort Wayne was a grass roots effort at the Community Center,” said Director Moll. “We listened to their request and marked off temporary courts at Lakeside Park last summer, then provided an indoor pavilion at Franke Park to play in during the winter. We’re hoping that by installing an outdoor court, this sport will catch on at all age levels.”
To encourage play, Director Moll announced that the Department will offer free Pickleball lessons for adults and children at Lions Park. Paddles and balls will be supplied.
Children’s Pickleball Lessons
June 25, 9:30 – 10:30 am
July 2, 9:30 – 10:30 am
July 9, 9:30 – 10:30 am
July 16, 9:30 – 10:30 am
Adult Pickleball Lessons
June 30, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
July 7, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
July 14, 6:30 – 7:30 pm
June 26, 9 – 10 am
July 3, 9 – 10 am
July 10, 9 – 10 am
“These new courts are great,” said Pickleball player Tom Fryback. Fryback will be one of the instructors giving free Pickleball lessons. “If you want the time of your life, you should give this game a try. One of the benefits is that you have more time to strategize than you do in tennis.”
Pickleball is often compared to badminton, ping pong and tennis, with its own set of rules. Here are some features of Pickleball:
- Played indoors or outdoors
- Badminton-sized court, with net lowered to 34 inches
- Played with perforated plastic ball (like whiffle ball)
- Wood or composite paddle twice the size of a ping pong paddle
- Easy to learn, but can become fast-paced, competitive game
Sechler’s Pickles gave away free samples of their pickles at the dedication and are awarding pickle packs to the Senior Games’ Pickleball champs.
The Pickleball courts at Lions Park are open to the public.