New York City is sometimes called the capital of the world. It’s also considered the country’s best city for pickleball, according to Lawn Love. That’s hardly surprising. With tons of pickleball courts packed into the city – and more popping up every day – there are plenty of options for pickleball devotees to connect with other players, hone their skills, and find a pickup match in world-class facilities.
If you’re looking for a place to play pickleball in New York, you’ll love this guide. It features a few of our favorite pickleball facilities in the city. Your next pickleball game is just a subway ride away.
5 New York Parks Where You Can Play Pickleball
You don’t have to go far to find a pickleball match in New York. Many of the city’s parks feature pickleball courts that host open play and tournaments. Here are a few of our favorites.
St. Vartan Park
No equipment? That’s no problem at St. Vartan Park. There is an on-site storage shed with equipment to make it easier for beginners to play.
Once you’ve learned the game, a match is just a Slack message away. The park has a dedicated channel in the NYC Pickleball Slack workspace.
Riverside Park
This waterfront park has several outdoor pickleball courts that are free to use. The best part? You don’t have to bring your own net, which is often a requirement at other parks. This facility also features water fountains and restrooms.
If you want to play, get to the courts early. The park does not accept reservations, so the courts are first-come, first-served.
Marine Park
Brooklyn’s largest park also features plenty of pickleball courts. The park features eight dedicated pickleball courts with lines and nets.
The Marine Park pickleball crew is filled with diehards. The group is the oldest group of players in Brooklyn, according to NYC Pickleball, and holds court at the largest group of public courts in the area.
Skyline Park
You can take in the skyline views and sneak in a pickleball match or two at Skyline Park. There are four dedicated pickleball courts on-site.
North Meadow Recreation Center
We can’t leave Central Park off this list! The North Meadow Recreation Center uses the handball courts for pickleball each day. Be warned that the courts are a little shorter than typical pickleball courts, according to NYC Pickleball.
5 New York Clubs Where You Can Play Pickleball
New York is also home to several excellent pickleball clubs. Here are just a few that are worth checking out.
CityPickle
CityPickle’s Long Island City location was New York City’s first indoor pickleball club. CityPickle’s footprint in New York has been growing ever since. The Long Island City location features open play, clinics, leagues, and tournaments. You can also find pop-up courts throughout the city, including seasonal activations at Wollman Rink in Central Park, Hudson Yards, and Brooklyn’s Industry City.
Life Time
Two Life Time Fitness locations offer pickleball: Sky and Penn 1. Each location offers several ways to meet other pickleball players, including open play sessions, clinics, leagues, and tournaments.
Chelsea Piers
This 28-acre sports and entertainment complex boasts an athletic facility that can easily accommodate pickleball courts. The schedule includes open play pickleball, as well as adult pickleball leagues hosted by ZogSports.
SPORTIME Randall’s Island
Many pickleball players have tennis experience. SPORTIME has a similar background. Already home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy, this location has embraced pickleball. There are 12 pickleball courts, as well as a full calendar of clinics, including a cardio class.
Court 16
Court 16 has locations in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan, and all three host pickleball leagues. These facilities are specifically designed for pickleball and tennis. Beginner and intermediate players can participate in clinics, and players level 2.5 or higher can hop into open play sessions to meet other players.
Which Pickleball Venue Will You Try First?
Whether you’re looking to spend a few hours at an open play session at a local New York park or seeking a luxurious pickleball experience at one of the city’s numerous clubs, there is something for every type of pickleball player in New York. No matter which spot you try from this list, you’re guaranteed to find a competitive match and some like-minded pickleball players to connect with.
Which spot will you try first? Let us know!
