Frostburg Opens New Pickleball Courts: Frostburg has added two new pickleball courts at Glendening Park, bringing the city’s total to seven for the rapidly growing sport. The addition comes in response to high demand and interest from residents. “There was a lot of demand for pickleball, so we decided to build more,” said Brian Vought, Frostburg’s Director of Parks and Recreation. “This will be a good addition to our parks.”
A city survey indicated that over 100 people were interested in organized pickleball leagues. The sport, combining elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, has been recognized as the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association for five consecutive years, with nearly 14 million players nationwide.
The new courts complement existing facilities at Mount Pleasant Park and the Frostburg Armory gymnasium, which were completed earlier this year. Although the Glendening Park courts share space with several basketball hoops, Vought assured that the area would be adaptable as needed.
Currently, Frostburg does not have an organized adult pickleball league, but there is a small program renting out the armory courts for clinics throughout the year.
“Hopefully, a league will come together in the next couple of months. We have some folks interested in getting that started.” – (Vought)
Mark Castro, a local pickleball advocate and instructor, has been instrumental in the sport’s growth in Frostburg. He praised the new courts as ideal for teaching new players and plans to help establish a pickleball league in Allegany County, expected to launch this month. The league will be organized by skill level.
“Everyone is asking when the league will start. It’s going to be open for everyone.” – (Castro)
Steve Hinds of Romney Sports Connections, the contractor for the Glendening courts, highlighted their quality. “The better the asphalt, the smoother the court is, the longer it’s going to hold up,” he explained. Hinds has installed 24 pickleball courts in the region over the past year, a significant increase from the two he built last year.
Castro emphasized the importance of accessibility in growing the sport. “We are helping the next generation of pickleball players, and this is really exciting,” he said. “They really went the extra mile to get these courts going.”
Nate Canapp, a student at Frostburg State University and avid pickleball player, expressed enthusiasm for the new facilities. “Having new state-of-the-art courts will help me to continue to have fun and improve my game,” he said. Canapp added that the improved court surfaces would enhance player safety by reducing the risk of slips and falls.
“The new courts will be able to keep players safe.” – (Canapp)
As pickleball’s popularity continues to rise, Castro anticipates the need for additional courts in the future. “It’s a great place to start, but in the future we’re going to need more,” he concluded.
News in Brief: Frostburg Opens New Pickleball Courts
Frostburg, Maryland, has added two new pickleball courts at Glendening Park, increasing the city’s total to seven. This expansion addresses high local demand for the sport, which has been the fastest-growing in the U.S. for five years. The new courts join facilities at Mount Pleasant Park and the Frostburg Armory gymnasium.
While Frostburg currently lacks an organized adult pickleball league, plans are in motion, supported by local advocate Mark Castro. The courts are praised for their quality and are expected to enhance player safety and enjoyment. Future growth in pickleball facilities is anticipated as the sport’s popularity rises.
