This year Talis Park welcomed pickleball to its 3-acre, outdoor, recreational sports facility! Learn more about this fun sport and its introduction to Talis Park’s list of top-tier amenities:
What is Pickleball?
Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong into one easy-to-learn game. Pickleball is challenging enough for seasoned racquet sports players yet easy enough to get the “swing of” for newcomers too.
How is the set-up for pickleball different from other racquet sports?
Unlike many other racquet sports, pickleball is played with a whiffle ball. The pickleball paddle is similar to a ping pong paddle, but bigger and squarer. A pickleball court is also set up differently than other racquet sports, with a 7-foot non-volley zone on either side of the net. However, a badminton or tennis court can be used for pickleball in a pinch. Just make sure to lower the net to 34 inches before you begin!
What is the history of pickleball?
The sport of pickleball is over 50 years old! In 1965, a Washington State congressman named Joel Pritchard and his friend Bill Bell came up with an ingenious way to keep their family entertained. While they didn’t have a full set of rackets at home to play badminton, they were able to scrounge up a perforated plastic ball, a badminton net, and ping pong paddles. Two years later, one of Pritchard’s friends had so much fun playing the new game that he created the first pickleball court! Less than a decade later, the first pickleball tournament was held in Washington and as they say— the rest is history!
When did Talis Park open their pickleball courts?
In 2022, Talis Park broke ground on 4 pickleball courts. In 2023, these brand new pickleball courts opened, making pickleball the latest addition to a long list of Talis Park amenities! As well as pickleball courts, Talis Park’s 3-acre facility also offers a 2-lane swimming pool, six Har-Tru tennis courts, and bocce ball.
What is special about the Talis Park pickleball courts?
The Talis Park pickleball courts are built to USA pickleball standards. Additionally, these brand-new courts are open to Talis Park residents year-round. Access to four courts on the Talis Park premises also ensures residents can play as often as they want without having long wait times to pick up a paddle and play!