Bedford Dinks and Lobs: Six New Pickleball Courts Open

Press release from the Town of Bedford:

Bedford Dinks & Lobs: Bedford Opens Six Pickleball Courts

Bedford, NY – Pickleball, as everyone knows, is the fastest growing sport in the US– making its way across the US map from coast to coast– now sweeping its way through Westchester. The sport is bouncing into the Town of Bedford parks with dedicated pickleball courts. Surrounded by Bedford picklers, Supervisor Ellen Calves, Senator Shelley Mayer, Senator Peter Harckham, and Superintendent of Recreation & Parks Chris Soi took to the courts with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday.

“We’re always looking for new and exciting programming for Bedford residents,” said Superintendent Chris Soi. “The journey that led us to the development of pickleball courts began in 2016 when the Recreation & Parks department first proposed pickleball on temporary courts in the Bedford Hills Memorial Park basketball courts. It began with a one-time-only special event that would morph into a weekly “Open Play,” including additional pickleball lessons.”

Over the years, four pickleball courts have been lined on the basketball courts, with a whopping six additional courts situated on the Bedford Hills tennis courts. With the formation of new courts came the demand for portable nets to be set up and taken down. As popularity rose and interest increased from locals, the vision for a permanent, fully stand-alone pickleball court became clear.
With a goal of establishing pickleball courts in Bedford, the Town considered various locations and funding sources. By leveraging $60,000 in budgeted capital funding, originally allocated to repair and resurface the Bedford Tennis courts, the Town reimagined those courts as an opportunity to transition into pickleball courts.

With an additional $60,000 provided by Senator Mayer as part of the State and Municipal Facilities Capital Program (SAM), the combined budget permitted the conversion of two existing tennis courts to six permanent pickleball courts at the Bedford Hills Memorial Park.

“We are so grateful to Senator Mayer for her partnership in identifying funding sources that could supplement our own budget.” Said Supervisor Ellen Calves. “Without her help, we would not have been able to make the pickleball courts a reality: it’s such an accessible sport and helps so many people become more active.”

Senator Shelley Mayer said, “While I no longer represent Bedford in the New York State Senate, I am glad that residents will be able to try out one of the fastest growing sports in the nation.

Pickleball is a fun way to get exercise and stay healthy. Thank you to Supervisor Calves and to my colleague Senator Pete Harckham for ensuring Bedford residents have this great space to play.”

The Bedford Hills Pickleball Courts are on a first-come, first-served basis, for residents and their guests, with “Open Play” scheduled for Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from 9:00 am-12:00 pm. Rules are posted on-site. We anticipate management of the courts to evolve over the next few months to best match the demand for play, in addition to establishing best practices for court use. Also, we anticipate setting up an online reservation system, so stay tuned!

This press release was produced by the Town of Bedford. The views expressed here are the author’s own.