The Quest For New Pickleball Courts In Greenwich Continues

GREENWICH, CT —Last week, the Representative Town Meeting cut $116,000 from the municipal budget that was earmarked for new pickleball courts in town.

The original plan called for the conversion of a basketball court on Bible Street into pickleball courts, but neighbors voiced concerns about the noise associated with the popular game, and RTM members had questions about the true cost.

Parks and Recreation said they'd consider other locations, and would hold a public hearing with community and RTM members in the district where the site is chosen to get feedback. The RTM said it would then welcome the item back for an interim appropriation "without prejudice."

The process of finding a new location is underway, and Candade Garthwaite, an avid pickleball player who has helped lead the charge for new courts, said she's hopeful a location can be agreed upon.

The RTM doesn't meet in July or August. Garthwaite is hoping Parks and Recreation can go before the body in September with a new location in hand.

Garthwaite said four to six courts in one location would be ideal, but the size and dollar amount would vary on the limits of the site, including the kind of surface that's used. An optimal site would be distanced from neighbors, with room for parking and perhaps a restroom.

Garthwaite said a group of players have discussed raising private funds to help supplement an interim appropriation.

"We really do need the public commitment in the location to do that," she said.

Currently, there are only two dedicated outdoor pickleball courts in town at Christiano Park. The town has been utilizing tennis court conversions to meet surging demand at Loughlin Park (four courts), Western Middle School (one court) and indoor play at the town's civic centers. Eastern Greenwich Civic Center will be off limits once construction on a new building begins.

This spring, Parks and Recreation added striping at WMS for six courts, and Byram Park for two courts.

But in order to play pickleball at these courts, players must bring their own portable pickleball nets, which cost upwards of $200 and are heavy. Setup and takedown cuts into playing time, Garthwaite said.

Pickleball has grown in popularity around the world and in the U.S. since it was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island in Seattle, Wash.

According to a fact sheet put together by Greenwich Parks and Recreation, pickleball is the department’s fastest growing program, with hundreds of players. Players have increased dramatically over the last three years, and clinics and programs quickly reach capacity.

Revenue from pickleball programming has increased substantially since 2017.

In Fiscal Year 2022, 349 people enrolled in pickleball programs, and 532 enrolled in tennis clinics. An annual resident tennis card is required to reserve tennis courts. In Fiscal Year 2021, the department required a tennis card to reserve courts for pickleball, too.

In FY 20, revenue from the card was $74,490. In FY 21, the number shot up to $135,344.

Jodi Stuart, another diehard pickleball player in Greenwich who has voiced the need for more courts, has visited other towns where new courts are being funded.

"I'm a little envious, because all of our neighboring towns are way ahead of us," she said, noting that Trumbull is using $472,700 to add six new courts, Norwalk is converting three tennis courts into four pickleball courts and New Canaan has added more as well.

Stuart, a former Manhattan resident, came to Greenwich in November of 2020 not knowing anybody in town. Looking for a way to stay active, she signed up for a pickleball clinic and was immediately hooked.

"I started collecting names of people I wanted to play with, and now I have the most amazing group of pickleball friends. I have a huge community, and I love them. I couldn't exist here without it," Stuart said.

In past public budget hearings, Stuart has touted the physical and mental benefits of playing pickleball, saying it enhances brain function, reduces anxiety and depression.

Stuart said new courts would influence younger children to play, which would be beneficial for all.

Garthwaite also got into the game during the pandemic, and she hasn't looked back.

"Once you start playing, you want to play more. The learning curve is not steep, you laugh and have fun. You're always meeting new people... It's healthy, it's active, it's social and more younger players are getting interested. It cuts across age, gender and socioeconomic status," Garthwaite said.

With new courts in Greenwich, pickleball can grow even more.

For more information on pickleball in Greenwich, click here.