Where to play pickleball in Chittenden County, join the fastest growing sport in the U.S.

Kate Sadoff, Burlington Free Press
Updated ·7 min read

This story has been updated to include an additional pickleball site.

The fastest growing sport in America, pickleball is the game on everybody’s lips this summer. It’s a great way to get active and spend some time outside for a little friendly, or not so friendly, competition.

More: How pickleball changes parks Pickleball is booming in Vermont, here's why

At the pickleball courts in Chittenden County there is something for everyone – the casual player who wants to forget about the score, the player looking to hone their skills, or the player that hopes to find a competitor at a comparable level. Since most of these courts are at public parks in proximity to playgrounds, consider this activity family friendly. Here’s a round-up of some, but not all, pickleball courts near you.

Looking for people to play with? Checkout playtimesscheduler.com or pickleheads.com.

Public park pickleball

Rossignol Park, 541 Industrial Ave., Williston

Rossignol Park, just steps away from the Burlington Free Press office, consists of four outdoor pickleball courts, first come first serve or reservable by filling out a Park Facilities permit application. Reservation times will then be posted outside of the courts. If there are no reservations, Williston Recreation & Parks asks that players limit their play to one hour if others are waiting. Further court rules can be found on the Rules Signs at the courts.

Rossignol Park in Williston has four outdoor pickleball courts.
Rossignol Park in Williston has four outdoor pickleball courts.

Cascade Park, 29 Cascade St., Essex Junction

At this peaceful neighborhood park, there are six pickleball courts, first come first serve from 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Friday. For those looking to hone their skills, Essex Junction Recreation and Park service is sponsoring an intermediate boot camp, taking place Mondays and Wedesdays July 10-19 from 6-8 p.m. EJRP is also sponsoring the 5th annual Cascade Classic Tournament, Sept. 30 and Oct. 1. Registration for these programs is available at www.EJRP.org.

Cascade Park in Essex Junction has six outdoor pickleball courts.
Cascade Park in Essex Junction has six outdoor pickleball courts.

Sand Hill Park, 208 Sand Hill Road, Essex

Sand Hill Park in Essex has four dedicated first come first serve pickleball courts. The court features permanent nets, nearby restrooms, and even lights for those who want a little fun after dark. Looking for a family friendly summer activity? Essex Parks and Recreation Department is offering a Youth Intro to Pickleball Clinic July 17-21 from 9 a.m.-11 a.m. so you can finally face off against your kids and grandkids. Call 802-878-1342 to register. Email recmail@essex.com with questions.

The Vemront State Pickleball Championship Tournament hosted by the Vermont Recreation and Parks Association is being held at Sand Hill Park on Aug. 11, 12, and 13. Registration is a vrpa.org at $60 per team.

Sand Hill Park in Essex has four outdoor pickleball courts.
Sand Hill Park in Essex has four outdoor pickleball courts.

Airport Park, 500 Colchester Point Road, Colchester

Airport Park, located on the Island Line Trail bike path which connects to the historic Colchester Causeway Path on Lake Champlain, has four dedicated outdoor pickleball courts, with permanent lines and nets. More information about this park's amenities can be found at colchestervt.gov.

Bombardier Park East, 1 Tennis Court, Milton

Bombardier Park East features four tennis courts with overlaid pickleball lines. There is however, court resurfacing scheduled for this summer promising 3 tennis courts and four designated pickleball courts. The park is open dawn until dusk. Visit www.miltonvt.gov for more information.

Schmanska Park, 63 Grove Street, Burlington

At Schmanska Park, there is one first-come-first-serve pickleball court, with no organized play at the moment. Parking is along Grove Street.

Schmanska Park on Grove Street has a single pickleball court in its fenced-in tennis court area. The park is in the Old East End of Burlington, near the Winooski Bridge.
Schmanska Park on Grove Street has a single pickleball court in its fenced-in tennis court area. The park is in the Old East End of Burlington, near the Winooski Bridge.

Szymanski Park, 32 Andrews Avenue, South Burlington

This neighborhood park in South Burlington has four new outdoor pickleball courts, open for drop in play Monday through Friday. The courts are reserved Wednesdays from 6-8 p.m. These courts are lighted, with permanent lines and nets.

Players enjoying Szymanski Park's pickleball courts.
Players enjoying Szymanski Park's pickleball courts.

For a rainy day

Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center, 130 Gosse Court, Burlington

Three indoor courts available for rent or drop-in play, but reservations are subject to a two week cancellation policy. Advanced pickleball play is offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. High intermediate pickleball is offered Tuesdays and Thursdays 11 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays 8:30-10:30 a.m. Intermediate pickleball is offered Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 1-3 p.m. Sessions are $5 per player, $40 for a 10-visit punch card, or $75 for a 25-visit punch card. Email mcate@burlingtonvt.gov to reserve the space or call 802-540-1058.

Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center in Burlington has three indoor pickleball courts.
Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center in Burlington has three indoor pickleball courts.

The EDGE Sports and Fitness Center, 75 Eastwood Drive, South Burlington

One of the most popular places to play in South Burlington, The Edge Sports and Fitness Center has four new indoor pickleball courts with a myriad of programming. At this gym, individuals can reserve an Open Play slot (max. of 18 people per session), with scheduled times corresponding to levels from beginner to advanced. Members can reserve Open Play 72 hours in advance, while non-members can reserve a slot day-of. Court reservations for teams of two to four people are available three days in advance for members, and also day-of for non-members. The full schedule is available at info@edgevt.com or by contacting pickleball@edgevt.com  or 802-860-3343x4. Sessions are free for pickleball members, $7.50 for Edge members, and $15 for non-Edge members.

Pickleball memberships are not currently being sold; email info@edgevt.com with your contact information to get on the waitlist, which The Edge is currently moving through.

YMCA Burlington, 298 College St., Burlington

The YMCA Burlington features two lined pickleball courts in the multi-use gym with two portable nets, available to set-up and use during open recreation hours. Open recreation is free for YMCA members, or available for a daily rate that ranges from $10-20, depending on age, group, etc. More information about open recreation hours and membership fees is available at www.gbymca.org.

BYON (Bring your own net)

In the light of the last few years' pickleball craze, many parks in Chittenden County have been simply adding pickleball lines to tennis courts. Since the center point net of a tennis net is two inches higher than a pickleball net, players have a few options in setting up their own pickleball game.  Players can bring their own nets to these parks, which average around $100 on the internet, or players can bring a net adjuster, which start as low as $65 on the internet. Of course, more casual players can simply play over the tennis net if they don't mind the two inch difference.

Bayside Park, 2 West Lakeshore Drive, Colchester

At these tennis courts with permanent pickleball lines, play with a view! Right across from the lake, sailboats are visible from the courts, parking is plentiful, and bathrooms are nearby.

At Bayside Park, tennis courts have permanent pickleball lines, and a view.
At Bayside Park, tennis courts have permanent pickleball lines, and a view.

Calahan Park, 45 Locust St., Burlington

At Calahan Park, there are four tennis courts, two of which have been lined for pickleball.

Oakledge Park, 11 Flynn Ave., Burlington

Another park with a great view, Oakledge Park has three tennis courts marked for pickleball, in addition to its own rocky beach and standard park amenities.

South Burlington High School, 550 Dorset St., South Burlington

Available outside of school hours only, South Burlington High School has three tennis courts lined for pickleball. All courts are relatively new. South Burlington High School and South Burlington Recreation and Parks have priority over court use.

Davis Park, 344 Harbor Road, Shelburne

At Shelburne Park there are 7 outdoor courts lined for pickleball. There is ample parking, restroom and water access, and lighted courts.

The view from the tennis courts at Charlotte Beach is worth buying your own net for.
The view from the tennis courts at Charlotte Beach is worth buying your own net for.

Charlotte Beach Tennis Courts, 1375 Lake Road, Charlotte

There are five permanent line pickleball courts on the tennis courts at Charlotte Beach. This spot is worth buying your own net and paying the parking fees for, merely for the drive in and the outstanding view. After a good game, jump in the lake to cool off or have a picnic at one of the picnic tables overlooking the water.

Contact Kate Sadoff at ksadoff@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Where to find pickleball courts in Burlington area