'It’s Not A Fad’: Berkeley Plans To Build New Pickleball Courts

BERKELEY, NJ — Residents who frequent Veterans Park will soon have more opportunities to play pickleball.

Mayor Carmen Amato announced that Berkeley Township is seeking construction bids to add three new pickleball courts behind the basketball courts at Veterans Park.

The township added pickleball lines to the tennis courts two years ago, but with pickleball gaining popularity, officials have decided to build a new court designed for the sport.

"Tennis is still very popular. Now pickleball is popular," Amato said during last month’s council meeting, noting that the township often receives requests for more pickleball spaces.

“We wanted to make sure it wasn’t a fad and it’s not a fad," Amato said.

Pickleball is a paddleball sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis and tennis. Games are played on a smaller court than tennis with a slightly shorter net.

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