Pickleball is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn, but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. It's a game for everyone!

Pickleball

What is pickleball?

A paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The rules are simple and the game is easy for beginners to learn but can develop into a quick, fast-paced, competitive game for experienced players. It's a game for everyone!

Pickleball has evolved from original handmade equipment and simple rules into a popular sport throughout the US and Canada.

The Basics

  1. A fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis.
  2. Played indoors or outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net.
  3. Players use a paddle and a plastic ball similar to a wiffle ball.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 when three dads, Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, created the game when their kids were bored with their usual summertime activities.

The Court

A pickleball court is the same size as a doubles badminton court and measures 20 by 44 feet. In pickleball, the same court is used for both singles and doubles play.

The court is striped similar to a tennis court with right and left service courts and a 7-foot non-volley zone in front of the net, referred to as the “kitchen."

City of Austin Court Rules and Code of Conduct

The following rules and code of conduct are in place to maximize the enjoyment of the sport at City of Austin facilities and to support shared use of space for all visitors.

  • Do not monopolize courts.
  • Unless otherwise noted, playing time is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • If others are waiting for a court, do not exceed 60 minutes of play for tennis or pickleball. If no one is waiting for the court, play may continue.
  • No individual may occupy multiple courts at one time.
  • No tournament play or for-profit lessons will be allowed unless approved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Multi-purpose courts are intended for tennis and pickleball play only. No skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, or other activities unless approved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Tennis courts without pickleball striping are intended for tennis play only. No pickleball play or informal striping is allowed on tennis courts. No skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, or other activities unless previously approved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Dedicated pickleball courts are intended for pickleball play only. No tennis on pickleball courts. No skateboards, rollerblades, bikes, or other activities unless previously approved by the Parks and Recreation Department.
  • Marking of courts with paint or tape is not authorized and is considered defacing property. Tape adhesive can cause permanent damage to courts.
  • Altering existing non-adjustable nets or installing additional nets is not authorized and is considered defacing property.
Pickleball Locations

The list below represents official Austin Parks and Recreation Department pickleball locations:

Austin High Tennis Center
2001 W. Cesar Chavez Austin, Texas 78703

  • 3 Dedicated Outdoor Courts
  • Open Play
    • Monday to Friday, 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. during the school year
    • 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. during the summer months

The courts at this facility are shared through an agreement between the City of Austin and Austin Independent School District (AISD). The courts are free and open to the public when not reserved for school use. No public play during AISD-sponsored events.

Austin Tennis and Pickleball Center at Walnut Creek Sports Park
7800 Johnny Morris Rd., Austin, Texas 78724

  • 8 Outdoor Pickleball Courts
  • Reservations Required
  • Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • Saturday and Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

Beverly S. Sheffield Northwest District Park
7000 Ardath St, Austin, TX 78757

  • 2 Multi-purpose Outdoor Courts with striping for 4 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Brentwood Neighborhood Park
6710 Arroyo Seco, Austin, Texas 78757

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Court with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Dick Nichols District Park
8011 Beckett Rd., Austin, Texas 78749

  • 2 Multi-purpose Outdoor Courts with striping for 5 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Gustavo "Gus" L. Garcia District Park
1201 E Rundberg Ln., Austin, Texas 78753

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Court with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Hancock Golf Course
811 E 41st St., Austin, Texas 78751

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Court with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts.
  • Open Play School Year: Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Tuesday-Friday 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Open Play Summer/School Year Camp Days: Tuesday-Friday 6:30-8:30 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 7 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Little Zilker Neighborhood Park
2016 Bluebonnet Ln., Austin, Texas 78704

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Courts with striping for 4 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Mary Frances Baylor Clarksville Pocket Park
1811 W 11th St., Austin, Texas 78703

  • 1 Dedicated Outdoor Court
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Mary Moore Searight Metro Park
907 W Slaughter Ln., Austin, Texas 78748

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Courts with striping for 4 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Mountain View Neighborhood Park
8900 Westerkirk Dr., Austin, Texas 78750

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Courts with striping for 4 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

North Lake Creek Neighborhood Park
9201 North Lake Creek, Austin, Texas 78753

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Court with striping for 1 Pickleball Court
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Pan American Neighborhood Park
307 Chicon St., Austin, Texas 78702

  • 3 Dedicated Outdoor Courts, 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Court with striping for 1 Pickleball Court
  • Open Play
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
    • Tuesday and Thursday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
    • Saturday and Sunday, 7 a.m. to 9 a.m.
  • Courts unavailable on Tuesday and Thursday from 7 to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. for roller derby practice

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Patterson Neighborhood Park
4200 Brookview Rd., Austin, Texas 78722

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Court with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Rosewood Neighborhood Park
2300 Rosewood Ave., Austin, Texas 78702

  • 2 Dedicated Outdoor Courts, 1 Multi-Purpose Court with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts. Nets not included.
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Shipe Neighborhood Park
4400 Avenue G, Austin, TX 78751

  • 1 Multi-Purpose Outdoor with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

South Austin Neighborhood Park
1100 Cumberland Rd., Austin, Texas 78704

  • 2 Dedicated Outdoor Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 8 a.m. to 10 p.m

Springwoods Neighborhood Park
9117 Anderson Mill Rd., Austin, Texas 78729

  • 1 Multi-Purpose Outdoor with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Westenfield Neighborhood Park
2008 Enfield Rd., Austin, Texas 78703

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor with striping for 2 Pickleball Courts
  • Open Play: 7 Days a Week, 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Multi-sport net system instructions (PDF)

Pickleball Programming at Recreation Centers

Alamo Recreation Center
2100 Alamo St., (512) 974-5680

  • Covered Outdoor Basketball Pavilion. Temporary court markers available.
  • Open play: Thursday, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Austin Recreation Center
1301 Shoal Creek Blvd., (512) 978-2370

  • Three Multi-purpose Indoor Courts
  • Open play: Monday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

Dottie Jordan Recreation Center
2803 Loyola Lane, (512) 978-2380

  • 2 Outdoor Tennis Courts. Nets, paddles, and balls available for checkout at the Dottie Jordan Recreation Center.
  • Open Play: Thursday, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Givens Recreation Center
3811 E. 12th St., (512) 974-2430

  • 1 Multi-purpose Outdoor Courts with striping for 4 pickleball courts
  • Open Play with Instructional Program for Beginners: Tuesday and Thursday, 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Contact Givens Recreation Center to confirm.

Gus Garcia Recreation Center
1201 E. Rundberg Ln., (512) 978-2525

  • 1 Multi-purpose Indoor Courts with striping for 3 pickleball courts
  • Open Play
    • Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.
    • Saturday, 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
    • Sunday, 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Montopolis Recreation and Community Center
1200 Montopolis Dr., (512) 978-2300

  • 1 Multi-purpose Indoor Courts with striping for 2 pickleball courts
  • Open Play: Monday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Northwest Recreation Center
2913 Northland Dr., (512) 974-6972

  • 1 Multi-purpose Indoor Courts with striping for 3 pickleball courts
  • Open Play: Monday and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

South Austin Recreation Center
1100 Cumberland Rd, (512) 978-2440

  • 1 Multi-Purpose Indoor Court with striping for 4 pickleball courts
  • Varsity Generation Open Play
    • Friday, 12 p.m. to 3 p.m.
    • Monday, 3:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Contact

For any questions, concerns or requests about pickleball, please email pickleball@austintexas.gov