GERMANTOWN, Tenn. — People in Germantown are seeking solutions to their pickleball predicament.
“It has exploded over the past year exactly,” said Becky Siano, who started playing two years ago.
The sport itself has seen some incredible growth over the past few years, and it has taken on a life of its own in the Mid-South. Players like Caroline Carpenter say it is easy to pick up and has pushed her out of her comfort zone.
“Ever since my friend introduced me to the sport, I’ve met so many people, I’ve been active,” said Carpenter.
For the past three years, the sport has continued to be one of the fastest growing across the United States. According to a study done by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association, interest in the sport has grown by more than 200% in the past three years.
In Germantown, this means the eight courts at Cameron Brown Park see plenty of use every day.
“On the average night we’ll have 80 to 100 people,” said Aaron Peevyhouse, Pickleball Player
However this demand appears to be outpacing the amount of resources Germantown has to offer. The city currently has 11 courts people can play pickleball, with the three in Riverdale Park being on a multi-purpose area without a permanent net.
“You may get to play a game, you may get to play two…But that’s probably going to be the extent of it,” said Siano.
Siano tells ABC24 this is part of the reason why she started playing in the mornings. While there are still a lot of players, it is nothing compared to the summer evenings at Cameron Brown Park.
“You’re going to come back in the evening and people will be lined up to play,” said Siano.
Several players in Germantown have now sought a solution, suggesting the city transform the lesser used courts into ones for pickleball to meet the demand.
“We have tennis courts in Germantown that we would like to see convert some of them into pickleball,” said Siano.
According to the City of Germantown's website, there exist 22 tennis courts in parks throughout the city. When ABC24 visited the tennis courts at C.O. Franklin Park in the morning after visiting Cameron Brown Park, there were no players.
However, city leaders say simply swapping the tennis courts for pickleball is not as simple as you may think. Germantown Parks and Recreation director Natalie Ruffin tells ABC24, a lot of the issue comes down to restrooms, parking and where the courts are located.
“A lot of our parks are neighborhood parks, so thinking in terms of court location, the noise level, things of that nature,” said Ruffin.
Luckily, new courts are on the way, granted they will take some time before those are finished. Concepts are in place to start construction of three permanent pickleball courts in Riverdale Park with lighting during FY2025, and installing a permanent bathroom at Cameron Brown. However, it will not be until FY2027 where Cameron Brown will likely see any new pickleball courts, concepts include an additional six.
While the option to travel to other cities do exist, players in Germantown they would still rather play in their hometown.
“They’ve opened a few in Collierville, but I just…I just love this place,” said Carpenter.