Anyone for Pickleball?

We’re getting closer and closer to bringing a new recreational opportunity to Troutdale! The game of pickleball is a paddle sport for all ages and skill levels that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. The City’s Parks Department has been proposing that one of the tennis courts at Lewellyn Park be permanently converted into two pickleball courts. But given the popularity of pickleball, we are now also considering converting both tennis courts to accommodate a total of four pickleball courts. 

One reason pickleball is so popular is because people of all ages can play the sport. With a smaller playing surface than a tennis court, pickle ball allows retirement-age adults to play without having to move around as much, yet many teens and young adults find it fun because can also be fast-paced game that favors intense hand-eye coordination close to the net.

Pickleball also provides a way great way to socialize. Many cities create leagues and host tournaments, which allow players the chance to meet other people in the community. For those reasons, the Parks Department thinks pickleball would be a great fit for our community.

We held an outdoor town hall meeting on July 22 at Lewellyn Park to gather public input. Nearly 70 people turnout and really showed that there is strong interest in the sport here in Troutdale.  We also learned that there are few other municipally-owned pickleball courts open to the public in this part of the metro area.

Our key takeaways based on reaction from the attendees were the following:

• Troutdale should provide pickleball courts,
• The City should convert existing tennis courts to pickleball courts,
• The City should act sooner rather than later, and not wait for the master plan to be finished,
• The City should not invest in a large pickleball complex.

If you missed the event or would like see the information provided again, please check out this Powerpoint presentation that shows all of the displays from the meeting.

The City’s Public Works Department will soon develop some options for the Parks Advisory Committee to consider. Further questions and comments on the proposal to bring pickleball to Troutdale can be directed to Parks Superintendent Tim Seery at tim.seery [at] troutdaleoregon.gov (subject: Pickleball%20in%20Troutdale) (tim[dot]seery[at]troutdaleoregon[dot]gov).

This story has been updated to include results from the July 22 town hall event.