Places to play Pickleball in NYC
and Player Ratings to guide you.
Your guide to pickleball in New York City. Get the latest information on public courts, open play, and local pickleball communities. Most outdoor groups play on asphalt surfaces or handball courts. Volunteers bring portable nets, tape and paint down court lines, and often provide balls, so if you’re going to join a community long term, please find a way to contribute. Open play times are always subject to change, so check the groups before deciding to join any sessions. Indoor NYC recreation centers are subject to city and state health and safety mandates.
Skill rating: Some groups and open play times are limited to a minimum skill level. Please be considerate of these expectations and rate yourself as honestly and accurately as possible. If you are unsure about your rating,
RATINGS CHECK.
1.0-2.0 - player if you’re just starting to play and have no other sports background.
2.5 – A player who has limited experience and can sustain a short rally.
3.0 – Is someone who understands the fundamentals as well as court positioning.
3.5 – Would be someone who knows the differences between the hard and soft game. This person also moves quickly to the non-volley zone and also understands the benefits of “stacking.”
4.0 – This player is able to identify and attack weaknesses from the other team. This player is also aware of their partner’s position on the court and is able to move as a team with their partner.
4.5 – This player understands strategy, has good footwork, can communicate well, and move efficiently with their partner.
5.0 – This is the highest pickleball rating and is for a person who has mastered strategy and can easily play a fast or slow game.
Each rating also comes with a set of skills that require proficiency to move up.
Manhattan Pickleball
Outdoor Pickleball Courts in Manhattan
Roosevelt Island
2 dedicated courts on asphalt with nets
Open Play: Hosted by Joyce Short on Tuesday and Thursdays from 9AM - 12 PM. Group beginner lessons from 9-10 AM, paddles supplied. Intermediate and Advanced play from 10AM to 12 PM. All other times are open play, first come first serve. Play 1 game to 11 if others are waiting and rotate off. Join our Slack Community channel #games_roosevelt_island or if you use the app TeamReach, their code is MyPickle
James J Walker Park, Greenwich Village
2 courts on asphalt, Portable nets needed (BYON)
Open Play: Organize play sessions in the TeamReach group code NYCPMJJW.
These recently created courts are the new home of the West Village Pickleball community that was displaced by the parks department after a long, drawn out struggle over the use of Seravalli Playground. If you want to use these courts, it is highly recommended to join the TeamReach group listed above and to share the space with the existing community. These courts are 2 blocks away from the courts at Houston and 6th.
Happy Warrior Playground, UWS
1 court on asphalt, maybe room for more. Portable nets needed (BYON)
Open Play: Organize play sessions in our slack group. Channel name is #games_happy-warrior-playground.
DeWitt Clinton Park, Hell’s Kitchen
2 painted courts on asphalt, 1 taped court. Portable nets needed (BYON)
Open Play: Nothing scheduled, and no formally organized group. First come first serve. If you live nearby, form a group and get playing! TeamReach code: NYPBDW
Carl Schurz Park, Yorkville
3 painted Courts right near the water. Portable nets needed (BYON)
Open Play: Open play throughout the day, feel free to show up and play. Team Reach code: UESPickleball
St. Catherine’s Park, Upper East Side
5 taped or chalked courts on the athletic field.
Open Play: Hosted by David Velasquez and the NYC Parks department on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays from 10AM - 1PM
William F. Passannante Ballfield (Houston & 6th), West Village
7 painted courts on asphalt, portable nets needed (BYON)
Open Level Play: Summer evenings are often permitted for other sport leagues, but for those who are not 3.5+ and want to organize games in the morning and early afternoons, we have a channel in our slack called #games_houston. Click here to join the group
3.5+ Open Play: Official permit for Sundays from 9-12PM. Other times are scheduled ad hoc via the team reach group. Be aware of other groups and sports with permits during the week, so double check availability here.
In the heart of Greenwich Village, this community comprises 3.5+ players who are happy to play every day for a few hours, even in the harshest weather conditions. Portable nets and balls are brought by the organizers, and they ask for contributions ($3 per person per session) for balls and the weekly permit during the Spring/Summer season. Be on the lookout for local leaders Katherine, David and Corey. TeamReach app code: NYCPM35.
St. Vartan Handball Courts, Murray Hill
4 handball courts with painted lines, portable nets needed (BYON)
3.0+ Open Play: Everyday at 9 AM, weather permitting. Summer evening hours, typically 5pm-sundown. See group for details.
Another welcoming NYC pickleball community for beginner and intermediate players. This passionate and dedicated group is always out on the courts, and have formed a strong community bond. Play can range from 3.0-4.0, and they often have a challenge court when all four courts are occupied. Look to Ryan, Julia, and Duyen for any questions about the group.
Click here to join the slack group. Channel #st-vartan-park
Central Park North Meadow Handball Courts, Central Park West
3 handball courts with taped lines, portable nets needed (BYON)
All Level Open Play: Everyday, 9:00AM-Sundown, weather permitting.
Surrounded by beautiful Central Park, this is one of the most active and friendly groups in all of New York for players of all levels. The courts are cut marginally short to fit in the space, but we know we all play up at the kitchen line anyway…right? Look to Listra for any questions about the group. Designated beginner days and hours, Mon, Wed, Fri from 1-3pm TeamReach app code: West26
Guidelines: Please make sure you read these guidelines put together by the community before going!
East River Playground, East Harlem
2 painted courts on asphalt, portable nets needed (BYON)
All Level Open Play: Typically 2PM-6PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but check the app for announced games
All levels welcome to this group in East Harlem! Join the #games_uptown channel in Slack.
Sol Lain Playground, Lower East Side
3 painted courts on asphalt, portable nets needed (BYON). Serves as a playground on weekdays for PS 134 during the school year, so only open to the public on weekdays after 3:00 PM.
Social and challenge court games on the weekends, weather permitting. Weekday afternoon and evening play in the summer is coordinated ad hoc in the NYC Pickleball slack group. Channel #games_les
Indoor Pickleball Courts in Manhattan
NYC Recreation centers are now hosting indoor pickleball sessions. Courts are typically taped on basketball gym floor surfaces. Balls and nets are provided for these sessions. Please check weekly schedules linked below. Annual Rec Center membership is required.
Brooklyn Pickleball
Outdoor Pickleball Courts in Brooklyn
PS9, Prospect Heights
2 Court taped on court surface in playground, sometimes 2 additional chalked courts
Open Play times: Organized via the NYC Pickleball Slack group, channel #games_prospectheights
Kaiser Park, Coney Island (New, November 2022)
4 dedicated courts
Open Play times: Organized via TeamReach code kpp123
McCarren Park, Williamsburg
5-6 court painted on asphalt, BYON
Open Play times: Organized via the NYC Pickleball Slack group, channel #games_williamsburg
They post open sessions on their IG, typically starting around 11 AM on weekends, and 5:30 on some weeknights.
Marine Park Pickleball Courts, Marine Park
8 dedicated courts with nets (Newly updated May 2023)
Open Play times: Daily, starts at 9 AM
Purportedly the oldest group of pickleballers in Brooklyn (by time played, not age!), this group is the model for cooperation with the NYC Parks Department. Starting from lines on tennis courts and portable nets, they have now developed the site to have 8 brand new dedicated pickleball courts. It is by far the biggest public installation of pickleball courts in the five boroughs. Limitless parking, with bathrooms on site. Mike Chaiet is one of the go-to people for this site. TeamReach code: MPPBA
John J Carty Park, Bay Ridge
4 dedicated courts with dedicated nets
Open Play times: All day, everyday, usually starting after 10 AM for open play
New York City’s first public, fully dedicated courts. It is right by the highway so it can get a bit noisy, but who can complain when you’re on some of the most beautiful courts in New York. TeamReach code: FHP
Leif Ericson Tennis Courts, Sunset Park
4 dedicated courts with dedicated nets
Open Play times: Everyday, starting at 11:00-4:00 PM. Summer hours may be extended
So friendly, they even named their group “Friendly Pickleball”, this is a group open to all levels of play. The courts were recently resurfaced and painted and they are a sight to see. Contact Hoi Leuong for the inside scoop. TeamReach code: ontheline
4 dedicated pickleball courts with nets
covered with lights on until 8 PM during the winter, until 11 PM during spring/summer. Play is no longer permitted on the handball courts!
Open Play times: Larger groups appear on the courts around 9 AM-12 PM and then again after work like 5PM to lights off.
On the east river near the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, this community of players is one of the fastest growing groups in the city. TeamReach code: 11201
Squibb Park, Brooklyn Heights
3 lined courts, portable nets needed (BYON). Some street lamps make it somewhat usable through dusk.
Open Play Times: Ad Hoc, sometimes people organize private games there.
Right near the Brooklyn Pier is the elevated Squibb Park, with 3 taped courts. A few downsides are the surface is on the smooth side, and one court lacks room around the edges while the other two courts are in a large open area so chasing put away balls can become exhausting. But the upside is that you have one of the most amazing views looking out over Manhattan along with the iconic Brooklyn bridge
Indoor Pickleball Courts in Brooklyn
Major Owens Community Wellness Center, Crown Heights
4 lined courts, Swiftnets and indoor Onix Fuse balls provided
Open Play Times: We organize indoor, leveled open plays Monday - Friday mornings. Courts are capped at 5-6 players per court, $25 for 2-2.5 hours. Reserve your spot
Monday 8-10 AM, Low Intermediate (3.0-3.5)
Tuesday 7:30-9:30 AM, Advanced Beginner (2.5-3.0)
Wednesday 7:30-9:30 AM, Low Intermediate (3.0-3.5)
Thursday 7:00-9:30 AM, High Intermediate (3.5-4.0)
Friday 7:00-9:30 AM, Advanced (4.0+)
Open Court Rentals: You can also book off-peak court time during the weekdays for $100 for 2 hours.
NYC Recreation centers are now hosting indoor pickleball sessions. Courts are typically taped on basketball gym floor surfaces. Balls and nets are provided for these sessions. Please check weekly schedules linked below. Please note that annual Rec Center membership is required.
Queens Pickleball
Outdoor Pickleball Courts in Queens
Ravenswood Playground, Astoria, Queens
2 taped pickleball courts on the handball courts
Open Play times: Ad Hoc
Players in our #games_astoria Slack channel play during the week and weekends.
St Michael’s Playground, Woodside, Queens
2 taped pickleball courts on the handball courts
Open Play Times: Ad Hoc
Players in our #games_astoria Slack channel play during the week and weekends.
Louis C Moser Playground, Jackson Heights, Queens
8 painted pickleball courts on the handball courts
Open Play Times: Ad Hoc
Players in our #games_astoria Slack channel play during the week and weekends.
Rockaway Beach, 102nd street (Added Aug 2022)
Open Play times: Ad Hoc
This is a brand new court at the boardwalk at Rockaway Beach. TeamReach code Red102.
Roy Wilkins Park, St. Albans
4 lined courts on tennis courts, if playing with open play, nets are provided, otherwise BYON
Open Play Times: Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays 10:00-1:00 PM Spring-Fall
Slowly but surely, unused tennis courts are being converted to pickleball courts. This group has permanent lines for 2 pickle courts set up, and they’re working on having a second tennis court fully converted as well. If you would like to bring your own net and play during other hours, please notify the Roy Wilkins Rec Center. During the indoor season, they play in the rec center with up to 3 potential courts set up there. No teamreach code at the moment, but contact Elmaestro2@nyc.rr.com if you have any inquiries.
Indoor Pickleball Courts in Queens
NYC Recreation centers are now hosting indoor pickleball sessions. Courts are typically taped on basketball gym floor surfaces. Balls and nets are provided for these sessions. Please check weekly schedules linked below. Please note that annual Rec Center membership is required.
Open Play Times: Ad Hoc
I have only seen this site via google maps satellite view but it looks like there is room for at least 5 more courts! TeamReach Code: 10471SW
Staten Island PICKLEBALL
Outdoor Pickleball Courts on Staten Island
Fairview Park
3 Fully Dedicated Courts
Open Play Times: Everyday from 8 AM to sundown weather permitting.
A community of over 100 players call these beautiful courts their home. Sometimes the groups bring lights for “Friday Night Lights”. The same community of players play at the Jewish Community Center when the weather isn’t great, so you know these are a very dedicated group of players.
Staten Island Jewish Community Center (1466 Manor Road)
3 courts on hard surface acrylic (both indoor and outdoor balls work).
Great indoor location for those looking for play after work hours. For any inquiries, send an email to mchua@sijcc.org. TeamReach code: 531707734b and FB page is called JCC Manor Road.
THE DROP
Get the latest on pickleball lessons, tournaments, leagues, clinics, and events in New York City.
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