Tri-Cities’ Pickleball Surge: Pickleball is rapidly growing in the Tri-Cities area, with courts filling up regularly. The Memorial Park Community Center in Johnson City is one of the many locations where the sport is thriving. Locals say the courts are almost always full, and the sport continues to attract people of all ages.
The Rise of Pickleball in the Tri-Cities
The popularity of pickleball is visible across the Tri-Cities region. At the Memorial Park Community Center, courts are consistently packed with players. William Hetrick, an East Tennessee State University (ETSU) freshman, noted, “They are completely filled,” referring to the packed courts. The community uses a “paddle system,” allowing players to rotate after each game to ensure everyone gets a chance to play.
“And we have something called a paddle system. So people who are sitting they can just rotate after each game is done. So normally they’re just all filled.” – (Hetrick)
A Multi-Generational Sport
Pickleball isn’t limited to one age group. Kaylie Henderson, another ETSU freshman, shared that she plays with people of all ages. “We come out here and play almost every day,” Henderson said, adding that pickleball is a sport that draws people from different generations.
“And it’s a multi-generational sport. We play with all kinds of different ages, all kinds of different people from all around.” – (Henderson)
Henderson also mentioned that she travels across the Tri-Cities, playing in Johnson City, Bristol, and Elizabethton with her family and friends.
“We all go all around the Tri-Cities. I’m originally from Bristol, I’ll come and play in Johnson City with my family. And then I’ll go back to Bristol, and I play in Elizabethton.” – (Kaylie)
The Social Side of Pickleball
For Hetrick and Henderson, pickleball is more than just a game—it’s about building a community.
“We could not know like half the people here. But we would get to know them and start playing with them and just have lots of fun.” – (Hetrick)
Henderson agreed, stating, “You meet so many different people and so many different personalities,” highlighting how pickleball brings people together.
“So you just form that community with them, and you form so many different connections.” – (Henderson)
A Welcoming Community
According to Hetrick, the sport’s continued growth in the area is due to the welcoming community.
“I think it’s just like how the community is and just how welcoming and accepting the community is. You could just literally just walk outside like two minutes down the road and there just is a pickleball court where people all over come and play and you have lots of fun.” – (Hetrick)
This open, friendly atmosphere makes it easy for new players to jump in and join the fun, further fueling the sport’s growth.
News in Brief: Tri-Cities’ Pickleball Surge
Pickleball’s popularity continues to grow in the Tri-Cities, with courts often full at Memorial Park in Johnson City. The sport is attracting people of all ages, and a friendly, welcoming community is a big reason for its success. Players enjoy meeting new people and building connections through the sport.
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