Milwaukee Pickleball Court Shortage: Milwaukee, a city with nearly 600,000 residents, has only two free public pickleball courts, despite a growing interest in the sport. While pickleball continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in the U.S., local players in Milwaukee face limited access to proper facilities.
A Sport Milwaukee Loves, But Lacks Facilities
Pickleball became widely popular during the COVID-19 pandemic and has remained the fastest-growing sport in the country for five years, according to the Sports and Fitness Industry Association. Even with long winters, Milwaukee residents have embraced the game through casual leagues, competitive clubs, and community events.
Local organizations have supported the sport in creative ways. The Milwaukee Bucks welcomed pickleball players onto the court at Fiserv Forum. Beer gardens, parks, and local businesses added pickleball to their events. Henry Maier Festival Park featured a pickleball “village” during Summerfest. A Professional Pickleball Association tournament was also held in the city, drawing players from around the world.
Only Two Official Courts in the City
Despite the community support, Milwaukee has just two dedicated, free-to-use public pickleball courts. These are located at Riverwalk Commons beneath the I-794 freeway. The courts, made of blacktop, opened in 2021 and are popular. However, their surface is not approved by the Professional Pickleball Association, which means official tournaments cannot be held there.
Many residents use tennis courts instead. But these require players to bring their own nets or play using tennis nets, which are not the correct size. This setup is not suitable for official play. Sharing courts has also created tension between pickleball and tennis players when courts are busy.
“What we, and what everyone wants, are dedicated pickleball courts used exclusively for pickleball,” said Jim Hahn, a Milwaukee resident and USA Pickleball ambassador since 2017. “Much easier said than done, of course.”
Efforts to Expand, But Progress Is Slow
One major challenge is money. Peter Bratt, the director of operations for Milwaukee County Parks, said, “To meet the rising demand for pickleball, we are requesting funding through the 2026 Capital Budget to build additional courts at Brown Deer Park.”
Peter Bratt also confirmed that new pickleball courts are in the works at Jackson Park. These courts would be the first in Milwaukee with surfaces that meet official standards.
Suburbs Take the Lead
While the city has fallen behind, nearby suburbs have invested in new courts. Franklin opened six free public courts at Froemming Park in 2023. West Milwaukee Park followed with six more in 2024.
Jim Hahn believes the difference lies in how the communities are structured. “There are so many neighborhoods and communities in Milwaukee without a connective tissue, which diminishes our political power,” Hahn said.
According to Hahn, smaller towns with fewer zip codes can make decisions more quickly. Still, he hopes Milwaukee can learn from the suburbs. “My message to the city of Milwaukee is that if the suburbs can figure it out, so can we,” said Hahn. “We are the anchor community of the metro area and we can make meaningful progress if we work together.”
News in Brief: Milwaukee Pickleball Court Shortage
Milwaukee has only two public pickleball courts despite strong interest in the sport. Local leaders plan to add more courts, but progress is slow due to funding. Suburbs like Franklin and West Milwaukee have already built multiple courts. Pickleball fans hope Milwaukee will catch up soon.
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