Let the Games Begin! East Hartford Opens New Pickleball Courts at Hockanum Park

East Hartford, CT – Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and East Hartford now has six dedicated courts available for residents who would like to play. 

Pickleball may be exploding in popularity now, but it is actually not very new.  According to USA Pickleball, it was invented in 1965 in a backyard near Seattle using a combination of ping pong paddles and a perforated plastic ball, relying heavily on the rules of badminton, and with the intention of coming up with a game that the whole family could play together.  By the 1990’s, a governing body, official set of rules, and a decent following were developed, and pickleball was being played in all 50 states in the U.S.  As of 2020, there were more than 34,000 courts across the country and more than 4.2 million players. 

Played on a court that looks like a smaller version of a tennis court, pickleball offers a fantastic workout without the higher level of physical strain and strength that tennis requires.  It is an easy game to learn with simple rules, that participants of all ages can play.  Since the court is smaller, there is less running around than what playing tennis typically involves.  The games are quick, and scores only go up to 11, so it doesn’t require an extended time to finish a game. 

The six courts at Hockanum Park are located adjacent to Terry Pool off of High Street. The courts are open daily from dawn to dusk and are available on a first-come, first-served basis, though players are requested to limit play to one hour if others are waiting.  A full listing of rules is posted at the courts, and is also available on the Parks and Recreation webpage.  Equipment is not provided. Participants have to bring their own rackets and balls.

For more information about the game of pickleball, including the rules of the game, equipment, basics and strategies of play, and a video overview, we encourage residents to view the helpful information available here https://usapickleball.org/. 

For information about the courts at Hockanum Park including the rules and guidelines, please click here or call the Parks and Recreation office at 860-291-7160.