New Pickleball Courts Coming To Marlboro This Fall

MARLBORO, NJ — One of the fastest growing sports in the country is pickleball, and Marlboro residents won't be left out of the action.

Mayor Jonathan Hornik announced that the township's capital program this year includes six new lighted, dedicated pickleball courts to be constructed at Marlboro Country Park, Gordons Corner Road at Masepe Trail.

“Everywhere I went, residents were talking about pickleball," Hornik said in a statement about the plans. He said residents of all ages enjoy the sport.

"The biggest request was invariably 'can we have more courts?,'" Horkik said.

So he said the construction of six new, fully lit courts was included in the capital plan.

The estimated cost for the project will be about $200,000 for the courts, plus resurfacing and color-coating and lining. Plus there are nets and posts, windscreens and fencing to be installed, Hornik's public information aide Lynn Franco explained.

Engineering design is nearly complete and the township anticipates advertising for bids to build the courts in June. Franco said the cost estimate will be more specific once the project goes out to bid.

When the project is completed, Marlboro will have 10 dedicated pickleball courts and four courts, lined for both pickleball and tennis.

Pickleball combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong.

According to USA Pickleball, the "rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players."

To mark National Pickleball month in April, the Marlboro Recreation Center offered an indoor adult pickleball clinic for beginner and intermediate players. Residents aged 60 and over were offered pickleball indoor open play at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels from January through June.

“The pickleball classes offered by Marlboro recreation - for adults of all ages - filled up with large waiting lists so quickly, there left no doubt that Marlboro needed more places to play," Hornik said.

And he said the courts should be ready this fall.

Councilman Mike Scalea, liaison to the Recreation and Swim Division, recounted some of the recreational upgrades in Marlboro over the past few years, including upgraded facilities at the parks at Falson Lane, Wicker Place and Marlin Estates.

"This expansion at Marlboro Country Park gives our residents more of what they want and I eagerly anticipate the new courts being enjoyed this fall,” Scalea said.

Marlboro Country Park is one of many in the township, the location of the Marlboro Swim Club, according to the township website.

The park also has handball courts and a softball field. The Marlboro Municipal Swim Club (membership required) has four pools, two playgrounds, two basketball courts and one sand volleyball court.