Town of Cary
Home MenuPickleball
What is Pickleball?
- A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong
- Played both indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net
- Played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes
- Played as doubles or singles
- Can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels
Facilities
Outdoor Courts (Walk-Up)
These locations are on a first-come, first-served basis and open during park hours. No equipment provided.
Ed Yerha Park (three courts without lights)
Carpenter Park (three courts with lights)
Walnut Street Park (two courts with lights)
Outdoor Courts (Reservation)
Cary Tennis Park courts are on a first-come, first-served basis during park hours. Cary Tennis Park annual pass holders can make court reservations. Visit the Cary Tennis Park Pickleball page for additional information.
Pickleball open play returns on Sunday afternoons and Monday evenings. Stop by, put your paddle in line, and have some fun!
- Sunday 3:30-5:30 p.m. at Cary Tennis Park
- Monday 7-9 p.m. at McCrimmon Park
Indoor Gym Facilities with Scheduled Times for Pickleball Play
Pickleball play is now available indoors. Visit Community Centers Open Gym for opportunities.Bond Park Community Center
Herb Young Community Center
Middle Creek Community Center
Planning and construction have begun across Cary to increase the number of outdoor courts our players will get to enjoy. Below is a list of current projects that are underway and future projects coming soon.
- McCrimmon Park (six courts)
- Planning is underway to add six outdoor courts to the Western Cary Community Center.
Instructional Programs & Tournaments
- Beginner Learn to Play Clinics are offered on a seasonal schedule.
- Learn more about Cary Tennis Park Pickleball offerings.
Fun Facts
Pickleball was invented in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, a short ferry ride from Seattle, Washington. Three dads – Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum — whose kids were bored with their usual summertime activities — are credited with creating the game. Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada. The game is growing internationally as well, with many European and Asian countries adding courts.
Despite the name, pickleball has nothing to do with actual pickles. Some claim that the name “pickleball” came from Pritchard’s cocker spaniel, whose name was Pickles. However, that family dog, who made his debut two years after they invented the sport, got his name from the game. According to one account, pickle was suggested by pickle boat, a boat in crew rowing made up of rowers not chosen by other teams (as pickleball was amalgamated from features of other paddle sports).
Pickleball grew in 2021 to 4.8 million players in the US, an incredible two-year growth rate of 39.3%, and is considered to be the fastest-growing sport in the country.