Pickleball Courts Open At East Lyme Park

EAST LYME, CT — East Lyme Parks and Recreation is opening courts at Peretz Park at Bridebrook. The courts open as pickleball continues its rapid expansion in Connecticut.

Pickleball is an increasingly popular racquet sport similar to tennis and is played on a smaller court that looks like a tennis court. It utilizes a plastic ball and paddles instead of racquets and tennis balls.

Parks and rec is hosting a Grand Opening Celebration of the new courts at Peretz Park. The event will be July 13 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will start the festivities followed by open rotational play on the new courts and basic skills instruction on the additional courts, according to a statement.

East Lyme Parks and Recreation constructed the news courts following a study of community interest and best practices. Funding was provided in the town’s capital improvement plan.

Scott Todd, a volunteer member of the pickleball committee who helped prepare the report, said in a statement, “Having the new courts built and available is a huge win for the community. Pickleball interest continues to grow and these courts are going to help meet that growing demand.”

East Lyme Parks and Recreation is working to plan a full slate of lessons, open play, competitions, and other activities on the courts. Details will be published on the town’s website, social media, and program catalog.

“We’re excited about inviting the public to celebrate the opening of the new courts,” Jerry Lokken, Director of Parks and Recreation, said in a statement. “We’ve worked closely with the pickleball community and think we’ve provided a state-of-the-art facility with a few uniquely East Lyme tweaks, including a really neat paddle rack, that we think folks will love.”

The sport is growing rapidly in Connecticut. Pickleball courts are set to open this summer in Simsbury. Farmington approved plans for a pickleball complex while a proposal for another pickleball court is in the works in Tolland. Stonington also has new courts at the YMCA.

See related: New Indoor Pickleball Club Set To Open In Simsbury

New Pickleball Complex/Splash Pad Approved In Farmington

Another Pickleball Venue Proposed In Tolland

Pickleball Courts Open At Mystic YMCA