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Pickleball

Adult Sports

Open Play Pickleball is considered an Adult Sports program and limits the age of play to 12+. All youth under age 16 must have an adult in the gym with them either spectating or participating.

Grit City Gherkins Pickleball Club

Pickleball is Washington’s state sport and it’s growing quickly in Tacoma! Our pickleball club, the Grit City Gherkins, features special benefits at courts around town.

$7/month or $65/year

Grit City Gherkin club benefits:

Your Grit City Gherkins Pickleball Club fee helps us continue to support Open Play sessions and pickleball events throughout the city. For questions or concerns, contact the Adult Sports Coordinator at (253) 305-1060 or email [email protected].

  • The monthly fee is continuous, but you can cancel or put your pass on hold anytime. The annual fee is also automatic, but you will be given a 30-day reminder before your card is charged.
  • Gherkins membership applies to pickleball activities only. It is not a substitution for a community center pass and can not be used for entry into other areas of the community center.

Financial assistance for club registration is available. Click here to learn more.

Learn to Play

Get Into the Game

Indoor Open Play sessions are a great way to get started. We provide all the equipment and our experienced staff and volunteers will coach you through your first game. Pickleball is a social game and open to all ages and ability

If you have your own paddle, you can come to an Open Play session at:

  • People’s Center | Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 am | SKILLS & DRILLS
  • People’s Center | Thursday, 8:30-9:30 am | SKILLS & DRILLS
  • Center at Norpoint | Tuesday | 7-9 am | SKILLS & DRILLS

Pickleball Rating System

Pickleball ratings are used to measure a player’s skill level in the sport. The rating system ranges from 1.0 (beginner) to 5.0 (highest skill level). There are two types of ratings: two-digit (used for club and league play) and four-digit (for professional players and tournaments). Here are the skill levels defined by the USAPA:

  • 1.0 – 2.0: Basic understanding of the game.
  • 2.5 – 3.0: Improved stroke development with moderate shot control.
  • 3.5 – 4.0: More consistent and strategic gameplay.
  • 5.5+: Top caliber player with mastery over all shot types.
pickleball_indoor_mens_landing

Indoor Open Play

Schedule for April 1 – June 18

$3 drop-in fee. Free with Grit City Gherkins membership.

  • No reservation required.
  • Paddles and balls will be available for use during open play hours.
  • When courts are full, Parks Tacoma staff reserve the right to establish and enforce a paddle queue to set a flow for the games.
  • Open Play sessions will be closed during Community Center holiday closures unless otherwise posted. For days with adjusted hours, please email [email protected] for any open sessions.
  • Center at Norpoint
  • People's Center
  • Hope/Schatz Boys & Girls Club Gym
  • Eastside Community Center

3 taped courts, great spot for advanced players.

  • Tuesday
    • 5:30-8:00 pm
  • Wednesday
    • 5:30-8:00 pm
  • Saturday
    • 8:00 am-12:00 pm
  • Sunday
    • 8:00 am-12:00 pm

3 taped courts, Great spot for beginners. Ball machine available depending on court availability.

  • Monday
    • 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Tuesday
    • 8:00-9:30 am | SKILLS & DRILLS
    • 9:30 am-1 pm | OPEN PLAY
  • Wednesday
    • 9:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Thursday
    • 8:00-9:30 am | SKILLS & DRILLS
    • 9:30 am-1 pm | OPEN PLAY
  • Friday
    • 9:00 am-1:00 pm

NOTE: All courts are closed the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Only 1 court available Monday & Friday after 12 pm.

Hope/Schatz Boys and Girls Club is located next to STAR Center. 3 taped courts, ball machine available depending on court availability.

  • Saturday
    • 2:30-5:00 pm
  • Sunday
    • 5:00-9:00 pm

Check in at STAR Center. After check-in, park on the right side of the Hope building and enter in the side gym door.

  • Monday
    • 8:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Tuesday
    • 8:00 am-1:00 pm
    • 1:00-3:00 pm | All Ages
  • Wednesday
    • 8:00 am-1:00 pm
  • Thursday
    • 8:00 am-1:00 pm
    • 1:00-3:00 pm | All Ages
Pickleball

Outdoor Open Play

Schedule for June 18 – August 31

The following courts have been painted with pickleball lines, equipped with SwiftNets that staff will setup and takedown for outdoor open play. Bring your own equipment:

  • Browns Point Playfield (4915 La Hal Da Lane NE)
    • Monday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
    • Tuesday: 4:00-8:00 pm
    • Wednesday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
    • Thursday: 4:00-8:00 pm
    • Friday: 8:00 am-12:00 pm
  • STAR Center (3873 S 66th St)
    • Tuesday: 4:00-8:00 pm
    • Thursday: 4:00-8:00 pm
    • Friday: 4:00-8:00 pm

Nets will be removed during the winter months, starting September 1.

Additional Outdoor Courts

These courts are available on a first-come-first-served basis:

Upcoming Closures & Schedule Modifications

Courts are closed at the below specified locations:

  • June 21 …………….. Hope/Schatz Boys and Girls Club
  • June 23-27 ……….. People’s Center
  • July 4 ………………. All Courts
  • July 7-11 …………… Browns Point
  • July 14-18 …………. People’s Center
  • July 21-25 …………. People’s Center
  • July 28-August 1… First Creek Middle School
  • August 9……………. Browns Point & Center at Norpoint
  • August 22………….. Hope/Schatz Boys and Girls Club
  • August 25-29……… People’s Center

Schedule Modifications:

  • n/a