Kirkland Parks and Community Services rolls out new Pickleball Program

Program offers new courts, instructional clinics, indoor gameplay and a fall league 

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Pickleball is a fun and fast-paced sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong, and in Kirkland, the courts are packed!

The City’s new pickleball program, which rolled out earlier this month, introduced three new pickleball courts at Everest Park and includes multiple upcoming opportunities for players to develop their skills. The program features instructional clinics, equipment rentals, pickleball party packages, a competitive fall pickleball league and drop-in indoor pickleball at the North Kirkland Community Center. 

“This new program is a terrific example of the community informing our efforts as we seek to enhance and grow our parks programming,” said Kirkland Parks and Community Services Director Lynn Zwaagstra. “Pickleball is here because our community asked for it! We are excited to offer this great new program and love seeing the new courts packed with pickleball players.”

Pickleball clinics are designed for beginner to intermediate players and are held on select Saturdays at Everest Park. Lender equipment is available at the two-hour clinics, but bringing your own equipment is recommended. Clinics begin on August 31 and run through November 16. 

Once you’ve honed your skills, get ready for some healthy competition! The City’s fall pickleball league offers Mixed Doubles and Men’s Doubles divisions, with matches from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays starting September 28 and running through October 26. The 2019 pickleball season includes five weeks of play and one week of playoffs, with league champions earning official “champion” T-shirts and bragging rights. 

Teams must provide their own paddles and balls.

And don’t let the fall weather stop you from enjoying this new program! Drop-in indoor pickleball is available at the North Kirkland Community Center throughout the fall (September 11 through November 20) and winter (December 4 through February 26) months from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. One full-size court and two modified courts are available, and doubles format is encouraged. 

Rental equipment is available! To rent your pickleball equipment, stop by the North Kirkland Community Center (NKCC). Equipment must be picked up at the NKCC and returned there at the end of the day. The North Kirkland Community Center is located at 12421 103rd Ave. N.E. in Totem Lake and Everest Park is located at 500 8th Street South. For more information about pickleball please check our fall and winter activities guide at: http://bit.ly/fallwinteractivities(PDF, 14MB) , or email eparks@kirklandwa.gov.