GRAND BOULEVARD — Pickleball fever is spreading in Bronzeville.
A new pickleball court is planned for Metcalfe Park, 4196 S. State St, replacing one of the existing basketball courts. The Hebru Brantley-designed basketball court installed at the park in 2019 will remain intact.
Ald. Pat Dowell (3rd) shared the news in her weekly ward newsletter that she recently secured funding for the project, which is still in the bidding phase. The new court should be ready by fall, Dowell said in the newsletter.
The exact cost of the project is unclear — neither the alderwoman nor the Chicago Park District could be reached for comment — but it will be funded through the Chicago Recovery Program.
The popular sport, a mixture of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, has gained a huge following in recent years. Its popularity prompted the park district to launch Pickleball Mania, an initiative to build 50 new pickleball courts at neighborhood parks by 2025.
Last fall, officials announced the initiative had “far exceeded expectations,” and the city is now on track to build 200 courts across Chicago with input from neighbors on the design and location of their neighborhood pickleball courts. There are pickleball courts in 43 parks, including in Bronzeville, Kenwood and Washington Park.
Neighbors can still weigh in with suggestions for new pickleball court locations by filling out this form on the park district website.
For those hankering for a little competition, the park district is hosting a pickleball tournament 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday at Horner Park, 2741 W. Montrose Ave. Details are on the district’s website.
Support Local News!
Subscribe to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Every dime we make funds reporting from Chicago’s neighborhoods. Already subscribe? Click here to gift a subscription, or you can support Block Club with a tax-deductible donation.
Listen to the Block Club Chicago podcast:
