New public pickleball and tennis courts to open Wednesday – Pasadena Now

Pickleball continues to ride waves of popularity in Pasadena. As part of efforts to address what some have called “America’s most popular sport” without turning a blind eye to tennis, the city and school district will jointly open renovated courts for both sports on Wednesday.

The McKinley School pickleball and tennis courts will open with a grand opening on Wednesday, October 26, now that restoration work is complete.

The facility located at 325 South Oak Knoll Ave. includes two dedicated pickleball courts, two dedicated tennis courts and a hybrid court with strips to accommodate a tennis court or two additional pickleball courts.

In June, the Department of Public Works and a contractor began restoration work due to the growing popularity of pickleball and growing demand for pickleball facilities.

The courts were badly cracked and the court surface and scratches had deteriorated over the years. With the assistance of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Department, the Public Works Department developed the concept plan for the joint use of the lands, including repairs.

According to a Public Works Department progress report, restoration work included resurfacing and stripping, installing yard posts and netting, installing a chain-link fence and repairing gates. New benches and bins have also been installed.

The courts will be open to the public Monday through Friday from 4:30 p.m. until dusk, and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. until dusk. Earlier, the City and PUSD agreed to a memorandum of understanding on the shared use of tennis and pickleball courts at McKinley School. According to the memorandum of understanding, the courts will be accessible to the public during non-school hours on weekends and evenings.

Player parking will be available on the existing lot north of the school gymnasium at the corner of El Molino Avenue and Del Mar Boulevard.