‘It’s an addiction.’ Lexington opens new pickleball courts near Fayette Mall
Connie Hajash played tennis for most of her life, from grade school until her 40s. But after she retired from her job as a pharmacy technician a few years ago, she needed something to do.
That’s when she found pickleball.
“It’s an addiction, really,” she said.
Hajash isn’t the only person who’s caught the pickleball bug.
The sport is the fastest-growing in America, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, with participation growing from an estimated 3.3 million players in 2018 to 19.8 million in 2024.
To keep up with surging demand, Lexington cut the ribbon on 20 new pickleball courts and eight tennis courts at Shillito Park near Fayette Mall Wednesday.
“It’s no secret that this has been one of our most highly anticipated parks projects in the last couple of years,” Mayor Linda Gorton said at the ribbon cutting.
“Our growing pickleball community, many of whom are here, is eager to have more locations to play,” she said.
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on what resembles a miniature tennis court. There are singles and doubles versions of the game.
But, Hajash said the game is played quite differently than tennis.
With the upcoming completion of Cardinal Run Park North expected to open this year, there will be public pickleball courts at 13 city-run parks and tennis courts at 15.
There are now more than 50 public pickleball courts across Fayette County.
Lexington city government designated $2.9 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds for the projects.
Hajash, who plays with friends in the West Side Pickleballers club, said the accessibility of pickleball makes it a great game for everyone.
The West Side Pickleballers even started ‘Triple Pickle,’ which is a version of the game where six people can play at once instead of four.
Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Adrienne Thakur said having access to parks not only improves physical health by lowering instances of obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes, but also improves mental health by creating a sense of community.
She said adding more pickleball courts across city parks will create more spaces for people to connect with each other.
“There is a large part of our community that wants to be served by this, and it’s important to show that Parks and Recreation is responsive to what the community needs are, and what the industry trends are,” she said.
“It’s a fun sport,” Thakur added. “It’s a great, easy way to get some steps in, to get a little aerobic exercise and to test your skills. It’s very accessible.”