Longer summer evenings afford greater opportunities for outdoor activities, and pickleball is a great option for individuals and families to get some exercise and meet new people. Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong using a paddle and plastic ball with holes. It is a game that is appropriate for players of all ages and skill levels. Pickleball was born in 1965 to provide a game that the whole family could play together. The growth of the sport continues to explode, nearing ten million players nationwide.
You can drop in at public locations; many organizations advertise open play times for different skill levels making it easy to find a game with others. Playtimescheduler.com is a free website to check when open group play is scheduled or when court availability may be impacted by tournaments or events hosted by clubs affiliated with the location (usually held in the evenings or on weekends). Normally you can step right up and put your paddle(s) in the queue for the next open court if all courts are busy. Clubs offer free workshops and clinics for beginners as well as the opportunity to enter different tournament formats and ladders.
Here is a roundup of local places where you can play pickleball, hope to see you out there:
Lembi Park 1302 Riley St, Folsom
Lembi Park features 12 outdoor lighted courts and is free to the public. The location is affiliated with folsompickleballclub.org and uses Playtime Scheduler to announce times for scheduled open group play, clinics, tournaments, etc, look for Intro to Pickleball class on Tuesday evenings
Life Time Fitness 110 Healthy Way, Folsom
Membership at Life Time Folsom (Lifetime.life) includes access to 16 outdoor lighted courts which can be reserved, with backup indoor courts during inclement weather. Benefits include classes, clinics, lessons, open play, mixers, leagues, and tournaments for juniors and adults
Broadstone Sports Club 820 Halidon Way, Folsom
Broadstone Sports Club (spartimesportsclubs.com) offers 8 outdoor lighted courts as well as 3 indoor courts. Visit their website calendar for open house events and intro to pickleball clinics for non-members. Members enjoy weekly drop-ins, socials, specialty clinics, tournaments, and more
Folsom Sports Complex 66 Clarksville Rd, Folsom
Drop-in pickleball is available on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at Folsom Sports Complex (folsom.ca.us) on 7 indoor courts. Folsom Parks and Recreation also coordinates camps, clinics, leagues, and tournaments. Folsom.ca.us/government/parks-recreation