Johnson City Pickleball Boom: Pickleball is booming in Johnson City with courts often full from morning to night. According to Rachel Evans, Recreation Services Manager for Johnson City, the sport is attracting players of all ages from across the Tri-Cities region, and its popularity keeps growing.
Courts Across the City Stay Busy
Johnson City offers many places to play. Memorial Park Community Center has 12 outdoor and six indoor courts. Recently, eight new courts were added at Metro Kiwanis Park, alongside five tennis courts.
Rachel Evans said players come from nearby areas, including Kingsport, Bristol, and Erwin.
“They come from Johnson City and all counties around us to play both indoor and outdoor. Bristol, Erwin, even some from Kingsport comes up.”(Rachel Evans)
Players of All Ages Fill the Courts
Pickleball in Johnson City is popular with seniors, college students, working adults, and families.
“We have more seniors in the morning. In the afternoon, we have more of the college-age individuals and then more of the working crowd and families. It’s really all ages. The oldest person I’ve been in contact with is in his early 90s.”(Rachel Evans)
Evans noted the courts are usually packed until noon, then again from evening until night. Players have even played in the rain and snow, though the hottest part of the day is less busy.
New Programs Bring More People In
Rachel Evans, who used to work in aquatics, hasn’t played much herself but sees the appeal.
“When I’ve played it, I can tell that I could definitely get addicted to it fast. I probably will take it up when I get more (free) time in my life.”(Rachel Evans)
The city has started new programs to get more people involved, especially youth. A recreational pickleball program is now part of the homeschool schedule. While youth interest is still growing, other programs fill up quickly.
“We have the ‘Champions of the Court,’ where pickleball players come out and we see who is the last standing at the tournament. Our fitness coordinator has recently started a pickleball conditioning program to build muscles in those areas. Anytime we throw pickleball in some kind of programming, it’s full in no time.”(Rachel Evans)
Strong Demand Shows No Signs of Slowing
Evans believes the trend will continue, especially with more people moving into the area.
“When we started pickleball with the indoor courts, it blew up. That’s what made us transform the tennis courts at Memorial Park. If we could build pickleball courts all over the city, they would fill up in little time. It’s very high demand.”(Rachel Evans)
News in Brief: Johnson City Pickleball Boom
Pickleball continues to grow fast in Johnson City. With courts nearly always full and programs packed, Recreation Services Manager Rachel Evans says the demand is high. New courts, programs for youth, and wide community interest mean the sport is likely to keep expanding across the city.
ALSO READ: How Luverne’s Pickleball Boom Is Uniting Communities—And What’s Next for the Sport