Fall River Has Pickleball Fever With Opening of New Kennedy Park Complex

Fall River is about to jump on the pickleball trend.

New pickleball and tennis courts are just about completed at Kennedy Park. How and when they'll be open to the public is still up in the air.

"Pickleball has exploded in popularity in the last year and Fall River wanted to be a part of the fun," the city said in a Facebook post.

I'll be honest. I hadn't even heard of pickleball until a few months ago. Then I was dragged to a court and have been obsessed ever since. If you are like me (intimated to try a new sport), don't worry. It's way more fun than I expected.

Get our free mobile app

Pickleball has some similarities to tennis but the balls, paddles and rules are different.

USA Pickleball describes the sport as having combined elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong; played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes; and played as doubles or singles. It can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels, indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and with a slightly modified tennis net.

The city has laid down the surfaces for the courts and is waiting a week or so before the remaining work can be done. At this point, it looks like it's just finishing touches.

How the public will be able to use the courts remains to be seen. Park board members are scheduled to meet June 7 to discuss use of the courts.

Pickleball is quickly growing in popularity so it's possible people will need to make reservations to use the courts.

If you have questions, email the board.

While I do think this is an awesome idea, Pickleball has become so popular they are really going to have to manage the courts, mostly because I could spend all day on one.