If you’re looking for the pickleball courts at Buttery Brook Park in South Hadley, you may want to use your ears. When visitors arrive at the park, they are greeted by the popping sound of paddles striking pickleballs.
Kim Prough, who volunteers as South Hadley’s pickleball program coordinator, is proud of the growth at Buttery Brook. She said over 300 people have participated in the clinics at the South Hadley courts designed to introduce people to the sport, and that the open play hours are becoming busier.
“Our mornings are starting to grow and get more popular, and I just got a note from somebody saying this morning all four courts were full at 8:30 with 14 people waiting to play,” Prough said a few weeks ago.
Pickleball, which rapidly grew in popularity over the last couple years, has continued to attract more players in the Pioneer Valley.
On July 26 at 9:15 a.m., players gathered at the courts to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the South Hadley courts, an event dubbed “Pickleversary” by Prough. The courts were again packed, with about 15-20 people waiting for open courts.
“Exercise and fun” were Christine Torres’ main motivations to begin playing pickleball.
Most players at Buttery Brook, including South Hadley resident Eileen Sullivan, began playing pickleball there when the courts first opened in July 2022.
Sullivan, one of the attendees of the “pickleversary,” first picked up a paddle 20 years ago in Florida and enjoyed it, but hadn’t played much since. She is a multi-sport athlete, having played softball and basketball for years before switching to golf, bowling and now pickleball.
Sullivan said she started playing again because pickleball recently became really popular in New England. She was ready to switch to something new.
Sullivan said she loves the exercise and challenge that pickleball presents her, as well as the social opportunities it provides.
“You meet amazing people,” Sullivan said. “Its very friendly and I like the system too. You just come in and you can get right in and play and you don’t have to have someone to come with.”
When pickleball courts first opened in Longmeadow in November 2021, alongside the new and improved Longmeadow Adult Center, players quickly flocked to the courts, taking lessons and becoming a part of a welcoming community.
Marisa Dubuc, from Southwick, plays as often as she can in Longmeadow. She was introduced to pickleball through friends about nine months ago and has been hooked ever since.
“It was one of those things where when you first start its a little bit confusing if you’re not, you know, a tennis player or you don’t have any background in it, but as soon as you get into it you find that you get addicted really quick,” Dubuc said.
Dubuc, much like Sullivan, relishes in the community that she has found through pickleball.
A breeze to set up
Part of what makes pickleball so accessible is that a court can be set up virtually anywhere. All recreational players need is a flat, hard surface, tape to lay down the lines, a portable net, a paddle and a couple balls. Pickleball courts have begun to spring up on tennis courts, in gymnasiums and even in parking lots.
Last fall, Holyoke Community College laid down makeshift lines its gymnasium and welcomed locals to play during the week. Similarly, the Longmeadow Adult Center features indoor pickleball courts in its gymnasium so players can enjoy the sport year-round.
Andy Rogers, director of South Hadley’s recreation department, said the town applied in July for a state grant for upgrades to Buttery Brook Park. If the town receives the grant, some of the funds may go towards building more pickleball courts, although it’s not a top priority. The town will learn if it received the award in November.
Ryan Anderson, who owns Premier Sealcoating & Line Striping Inc., has seen a dramatic rise in pickleball court construction in the last few years. Municipalities and schools are mostly converting tennis courts into pickleball courts, while homeowners and condominium complexes are primarily installing new courts, he said.
The average cost of a pickleball court varies, depending on numerous factors including levelness of the base. Just to resurface a tennis court, Premier Sealcoating charges about $14,000, whereas pickleball courts from scratch can average between $25,000 and $30,000, including painting and fencing.
When asked if he thinks that pickleball is taking popularity and players away from tennis, Anderson said, “Oh, one hundred percent.”
Pickleball was initially advertised as a sport for older generations, since it is low-impact and is played on a much smaller court than tennis. However, the younger generation has also taken a liking to the sport.
“All these young people have gotten involved in it, and that just made it explode even more, in my opinion,” Anderson said.
Young people have begun playing at Buttery Brook, often bringing their friends in the evenings. Recently, the park hosted its first youth event called “Picklemania,” where 45 youths played pickleball in a round robin format. There was a DJ, food and a raffle that distributed 20 gift cards.
