New pickleball courts in the Auburn area will give local players another place to enjoy the increasingly popular sport, and more are on the way.
The tennis court at Sawyer Park on Turnpike Road in Throop has recently been converted into three pickleball courts. Supervisor Eric Ridley told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» the town had to weigh demand between the two sports. Pickleball is the one in the U.S., while tennis is widely believed to be experiencing a decline in popularity as a result.Â
Pickleball is similar to tennis, but with elements of badminton and table tennis. It can be played indoors or outdoors. Players wield a large paddle and hit a ball that looks and feels like a sturdier wiffle ball. Also like tennis, the game can be played in singles or doubles. Ridley said it's enjoyed by players of all ages, but its low-impact nature makes it ideal exercise for seniors.
People are also reading…
"A lot of our senior residents are really good pickleball players," he said. "Some will show up and even give lessons to others."
Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States, and the Cayuga County area is no exception to its popularity.
The courts are part of a larger renovation of Sawyer Park that also includes a new playground, a resealed basketball court, improved drainage and expanded parking. Ridley said the already popular park has been seeing even more activity since the renovation. It was supported by a $55,000 state grant for the playground, with another $60,000 coming from the town.
"(Pickleball) has brought the community closer together," Ridley said.
The town is Sterling is looking to turn an aging tennis court into pickleball ones as well.
Supervisor Andrew Joyce told ÈËÊÞÐÔ½» the new courts will be set up at what's called the Old Town Garage on Williams Road, down the road from where the town hall on Route 104A. The spot is already a destination with basketball courts and an empty lot where parents teach children to ride bicycles, he said, but it has the potential to become even more of a community space.
"It's a beautiful spot for residents," Joyce said. "There's green space and Sterling Creek runs alongside of it."
The pickleball courts will just need new pavement and painted lines, Joyce continued, before nets are installed this spring.
Pickleball courts in the Cayuga County area
Auburn YMCA-WEIU (three indoor courts)
WHEN: Open 5 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Fridays, 8 to 11 a.m. Saturdays, 7 to 11 a.m. Sundays
WHERE: 27 William St., Auburn
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 253-5304
Austin Park (four outdoor courts)
WHEN: Open 8 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 8 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays
WHERE:Â 1 E. Austin St., Skaneateles
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 685-3473
Casey Park (two outdoor courts, four indoor courts)
WHEN: Open 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays
WHERE:Â 150 N. Division St., Auburn
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 255-4737
Cato-Meridian Community Recreation Center (indoor)
WHEN: Open 8 to 11:15 a.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 7 to 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 to 8 p.m. Fridays, 7:30 to 10 a.m. Saturdays
WHERE:Â 2851 Route 370, Cato
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 626-6735
Owasco playground area (four outdoor courts)
WHEN: Open play daily, weather permitting
WHERE:Â 6 Bristol Ave., Owasco
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 253-9021
Sawyer Park (three outdoor courts)
WHEN: Open play daily, weather permitting
WHERE: 2276 Turnpike Road, Throop
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 252-7373
Skaneateles YMCA & Community Center (three indoor courts)
WHEN: Open 8 to 11 a.m. Mondays through Saturdays, 8 to 10:30 a.m. Sundays
WHERE:Â 97 State St., Skaneateles
INFO: Visit  or call (315) 685-2266
For more information, visit .
Staff writer Christopher Malone can be reached at (315) 282-2232 or christopher.malone@lee.net.
Christopher Malone
Town, village and business reporter
