Pickleball Court at Callaghan Park: The City of Watsonville will hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Callaghan Park to celebrate the opening of a new pickleball court and the resurfacing of the basketball courts. The park is located at 221 Sudden Street.
The event will include a beginner pickleball lesson and a three-on-three basketball tournament. Participants in the basketball tournament must register ahead of time at Watsonvillerec.com. The upgrades were made to support the rising popularity of pickleball and to improve recreational spaces for local residents.
A Growing Sport with Local Support
Pickleball continues to gain popularity across the country, and Watsonville is joining the movement. The new court at Callaghan Park was designed for both tennis and pickleball by using special court markings in different shades of blue.
Pickleball began in 1965, when Joel Pritchard, who later became Washington’s lieutenant governor, created the game at his summer home on Bainbridge Island. It has since become one of America’s fastest-growing sports.
The Sports & Fitness Industry Association reported a 51.8% rise in participation from 2022 to 2023. In 2024, over 18,000 new courts were built across the country, according to USA Pickleball.
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Local Lessons and Programs
Watsonville Parks and Community Services is offering beginner, intermediate, and private pickleball lessons. Classes will be held at Callaghan Park and the city’s other pickleball court at Joyce-McKenzie Park.
The city also launched an adult pickleball league on June 9. Games take place every Monday and give players a chance to enjoy the sport and improve their skills.
The Santa Cruz Pickleball Club has been promoting the sport throughout the county. It hosts games at Brommer Street Park, Willowbrook Park, and Sergeant Derby Park, along with clinics at Cabrillo College.
Upgrades to Public Spaces
The ribbon cutting will also highlight updates to the basketball courts at Callaghan Park. Mayor Maria Orozco wrote in a Sentinel column that the courts now have new backboards and a fresh surface.
“These upgrades demonstrate how public-private partnerships can enrich our shared spaces and promote healthier, more active lifestyles for all,” Mayor Maria Orozco wrote.
The improvements were funded by Friends of Watsonville Parks and Community Services, a group that supports local recreation projects.
What’s Next for Watsonville
The ribbon-cutting event marks another step forward in growing local interest in pickleball. With new courts, lessons, and leagues, more people in Watsonville can enjoy the sport.
Watsonville’s focus on upgrading parks shows its commitment to making outdoor spaces fun, active, and welcoming for everyone in the community.
News in Brief: Pickleball Court at Callaghan Park
Watsonville will host a ribbon cutting on June 21, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. at Callaghan Park to unveil a new pickleball court and improved basketball courts. The city is offering lessons and an adult league to support growing interest. A beginner tutorial and 3-on-3 tournament will follow the ceremony.
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