Atavia Reed a reporter for Block Club Chicago, covering the Englewood, Auburn Gresham and Chatham neighborhoods writes pickleball mania is underway on the South Side, with 14 newly renovated courts now open at two city parks.
The Park District funded $1 million in renovations for courts at Foster Park, 1440 W. 84th St., in Auburn Gresham, in what it calls the “largest single pickleball investment in a park.”
The neighborhood park has eight new, bright blue and green pickleball courts and five freshly constructed tennis courts, down from the previous seven, according to the Park District.
The renovations are another step forward in the Park District’s Pickleball Mania initiative, which aims to add 200 new courts citywide by the end of 2025.
Neighbors can also grab a paddle — or racket — and work up a sweat at the newly designed pickleball and tennis courts at Grand Crossing Park, 7655 S. Ingleside Ave.
The $620,000 project includes six new pickleball courts, two resurfaced tennis courts, repaved ADA-accessible pathways and benches.
“In the last few years, we’ve seen an uptick in interest for pickleball and tennis offerings,” Rosa Escareño, Park District superintendent and CEO, said in a news release. “We’re excited to nurture the community’s passion and offer residents in Grand Crossing and beyond a new place to play, amongst other neighborhood amenities.”
Photo: New pickleball and tennis courts were recently installed at Foster Park in Auburn Gresham, as seen on Sept. 30, 2024. Credit: Colin Boyle/Block Club Chicago.