The national interest in the sport of pickleball is once again impacting Wellington in a positive and significant way.
On Thursday, Nov. 14, the Village of Wellington’s Parks & Recreation Department conducted a grand opening ribbon-cutting ceremony at Wellington’s Greenbriar Park in order to officially announce public access to six new pickleball courts. The event featured a morning filled with activities, food and refreshments, pickleball demonstrations and introductory clinics. The clinics focused on court safety, etiquette, basic rules, strokes and techniques.
According to the village, approximately 50 people were in attendance, including the entire Wellington Village Council — Mayor Michael Napoleone, Vice Mayor John McGovern, Councilwoman Tanya Siskind, Councilwoman Maria Antuña and Councilwoman Amanda Silvestri. They were joined by USA Pickleball Florida Southeast District Ambassador Raul Travieso.
The opening of those six pickleball courts will add to the national total of 13,969 pickleball courts, according to the Association of Pickleball Players.
In a nutshell, pickleball is a paddle sport that combines the elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis/ping pong into a lively, competitive game for people of all ages and athletic abilities. Nationwide, there are 13.6 million pickleball players, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.
The new courts at Greenbriar Park are now available to the general public for open play on a first-come, first-served basis. They are open daily from sunrise to sunset. Players must bring their own paddles and balls.
Greenbriar Park is located at 2975 Greenbriar Blvd. Learn more about pickleball in Wellington at www.wellingtonfl.gov/652/pickleball.
