"Pickleball Mania" is Well Underway! Park District, Alderman Cut Ribbon on New Pickleball and Tennis Courts in Columbus Park in Austin Neighborhood

The Park District expects to have 200 pickleball courts in parks across the city by the end of 2025!
 
Today at 11am, Chicago Park District General Superintendent & CEO Rosa Escareño joins 29th Ward Alderman Chris Taliaferro and Austin community residents cut the ribbon on the newly rehabbed tennis courts and new pickleball courts at Columbus Park, 500 S. Central Avenue. These new amenities elevate recreation opportunities in the Austin community by bringing new and enhanced resources to Chicago’s west side. The project is part of “Pickleball Mania”, the Park District’s response to the growing popularity of the sport and demand for courts across the city.   
 
“These incredible new and rehabbed courts provide Austin residents with the best of both worlds,” said Chicago Park District General Superintendent and CEO Rosa Escareño. “While tennis is a long-time local favorite here, pickleball is growing rapidly in popularity among neighboring residents here as it is across the city and the country. Now these beloved sports can take place simultaneously in this historic park. We appreciate the input from community stakeholders and look forward to continuing our work here in Austin, and communities across the city, to make these resources accessible and enjoyable.”   
 
The project features four newly rehabbed tennis courts and four new pickleball courts on the west end of the park, at the southeast corner of Austin and Adams Boulevards. The scope of the work includes all preparatory work and finishes like excavation, grading and drainage work, court paving, court surfacing and striping, new fencing, and other site amenities. In addition, new lights have been added to these courts to allow evening play during the fall and winter seasons when daylight time is reduced. The project was completed in accordance with the specifications established by the USA Pickle ball Association (USAPA) and US Tennis Association (USTA). 
 
“I am excited about the opportunities the Chicago Park District continues to provide our residents, especially our young residents,” said Alderman Chris Taliaferro. “Our new tennis and pickleball courts will provide a recreational opportunity and physical well-being resource in the heart of Chicago’s westside, in the Austin community.” 
  
Last year, the Park District announced “Pickleball Mania”, an ambitious commitment to construct 50 new pickleball courts throughout the city by 2025, which would bring the total number of park district courts to more than 100, putting Chicago in line with other cities across the country that are meeting the growing popularity of the sport and demand for pickleball courts. One year later, the District announced that “Pickleball Mania” will far exceed expectations and is on track to complete even more courts, bringing the number of pickleball courts to 200 in the next two years. Last week, the District cut the ribbon on the new complex in Grant Park that offers 16 pickleball and 6 tennis courts in the heart of downtown. Outdoor pickleball courts in Chicago are now available in 27 public parks and underway at another 36 parks. Check here for more information on where neighborhood pickleball courts are now open.
 
The Park District is still seeking input from the community to determine the best locations for new pickleball courts. Park patrons may provide their feedback online here. 
 
The new pickleball courts are funded by the City’s Chicago Recovery Plan (CRP) which earmarks dollars for neighborhood park improvements.