Pickleball In Greendale: What To Know Before You Hit The Court

Pickleball isn't exactly a niche hobby anymore. The easy-to-learn paddle sport has found fans of just about every age and skill level, and the Greendale area is no exception.

If you've heard friends talking about "the kitchen" but still aren't entirely sure what they're talking about, getting started is easier than it may look. You don't need years of tennis experience or much equipment — just a paddle, a ball and somewhere to play.

And around Greendale, there are several options. Greendale Park and Recreation runs outdoor pickleball at Community Center Park, while nearby Franklin and Oak Creek offer additional public courts.

Here's a beginner-friendly look at pickleball, from the rules you actually need to know to places to play in and around Greendale.

So, What Exactly Is Pickleball?

Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a court smaller than a tennis court, with a net, a plastic ball with holes and solid paddles. It can be played as singles or doubles, although doubles is especially common.

Part of the appeal is that you don't need to master a long list of rules before getting into a game. USA Pickleball's beginner guide describes the sport as one that can be played by people of different ages and skill levels, with relatively simple fundamentals for newcomers to pick up.

That doesn't mean the game can't get competitive. There's plenty of room to work on strategy, placement and technique once you've gotten the hang of it. But if your immediate goal is simply to get outside with some friends and figure out which end of the paddle to hold, you can do that, too.

What Rules Do Beginners Actually Need To Know?

You don't need to memorize the entire official USA Pickleball rulebook before your first game. A few basics will at least help you know what's happening on the court:

• The serve goes crosscourt. Play begins with a serve hit diagonally into the opposite service court. Traditional volley serves use an underhand motion, and a drop serve is also permitted.
• Let it bounce — twice. The receiving side has to let the serve bounce before returning it, and the serving side then has to let that return bounce before hitting it. After those two bounces, players can volley the ball out of the air.
• Stay out of "the kitchen" when volleying. The kitchen is the non-volley zone extending 7 feet from the net on each side. You can enter it to play a ball that has bounced, but you can't volley while standing in the zone or touching its line.
• Traditional games are generally played to 11. Under traditional side-out scoring, only the serving side scores points, and a team must win by at least two points.

USA Pickleball has a more detailed guide to serving, scoring and the kitchen rule if you'd like to know a little more before showing up for your first game.

What Do You Need To Play Pickleball?

The basic equipment list is refreshingly short: a pickleball paddle, pickleballs, a net and a court. If you're playing at a public court with a permanent net, that makes things even easier.

Wear comfortable athletic clothes and supportive sneakers or court shoes, and bring water — especially during warmer weather. If you're trying the sport for the first time, there's also no need to turn paddle shopping into a major investment before you've played a single game. Check with a recreation program, club or the friends you're joining to see whether equipment is available to borrow.

Where Can You Play Pickleball In Greendale?

Greendale's main public pickleball option is at Community Center Park, with additional courts available in nearby communities. Before heading out, it's smart to check with the municipality or recreation department for current schedules, reservations, programs or court closures.

Community Center Park

6200 S. 76th St., Greendale

Community Center Park is Greendale's primary outdoor spot for pickleball. The park has six seasonally lighted tennis courts, and Greendale Park and Recreation currently uses the site for its organized outdoor pickleball program.

The department's current program offerings include adult open-play pickleball at the park. The program is set up for recreational players who already know the basics, with paddles and balls available for participants who don't have their own. Check Greendale Park and Recreation for current registration, dates and program information before heading over.

Community Center Park also has basketball hoops, softball and baseball fields, playgrounds, a sand volleyball court, picnic tables and a covered picnic shelter.

Lions Legend Park

8050 S. Legend Drive, Franklin

A short drive from Greendale, Lions Legend Park offers public pickleball courts. The City of Franklin notes that the park's tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts are shared with the general public rather than included with pavilion rentals.

The park also has a playground, paved walking trail, volleyball courts, ball diamond, restrooms, picnic tables and a band shell, making it an easy option if your outing includes more than just a pickleball game.

Manor Marquette Park

801 E. Marquette Ave., Oak Creek

Another nearby option is Manor Marquette Park in Oak Creek. The city's current park listing includes pickleball courts among the amenities, along with tennis and basketball courts, ball diamonds and a playground.

Oak Creek says its public pickleball courts are available on a first-come, first-served basis or can be reserved by the hour. Check with the city's Recreation Department for current availability and reservation information.

Willow Heights Park

1111 W. Weatherly Drive, Oak Creek

Willow Heights Park is another Oak Creek park with pickleball courts listed among its current amenities. The park also has tennis and basketball courts, ball diamonds and a playground.

As with Manor Marquette Park, Oak Creek allows its public courts to be used first come, first served or reserved by the hour, so players who want a particular time can check with the city's Recreation Department before making the trip.

What Does "Open Play" Mean?

If you're new to pickleball, you'll probably run into the phrase "open play." Rather than reserving a court with the same group of friends for an hour, open play generally means players rotate in and out of games with other people who show up during a designated period.

The exact setup varies from place to place, so don't assume every open-play session works the same way. Some are divided by skill level or use particular courts, while others are more casual. If you're unsure whether a session is beginner-friendly, check with the organizer or recreation department before you go.

Can Anyone Play Pickleball?

One reason the sport has attracted such a broad following is that it can be adapted to different ages and ability levels. The smaller court means players cover less ground than they would in tennis, and newcomers can start with a fairly basic serve-and-return game before worrying about more advanced shots and strategy.

Still, pickleball is a sport. Warm up, wear shoes that provide good support for side-to-side movement and play at a pace that makes sense for you.

Ready To Give It A Try?

You don't need to know every rule, own an expensive paddle or have a perfectly executed "dink" shot before showing up at a court.

Learn the basic serve, remember the two-bounce rule, stay out of the kitchen when you're volleying and go from there. Whether you're looking for a new way to get moving, meet some neighbors or finally find out why everyone seems to own a pickleball paddle now, Greendale and the surrounding area have several places to give the game a try.

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