Chicagoans are becoming obsessed with pickleball, a game that is a little something like tennis, badminton and ping-pong combined.
Pickleball is played on a court the same size as a doubles badminton court, which is slightly smaller than the average tennis court. The pickleball paddle is smaller than a tennis racket but larger than a ping-pong paddle, and the ball resembles a colorful wiffle ball.
Learn more about the game play and rules of pickleball in this video from USA Pickleball.
The game is friendly and easy enough for beginners to get the hang of, but it can quickly develop into an intense, competitive game. Because of its flexibility, pickleball is a great family sport no matter your gaming style!
Before the game went mainstream, many pickleball players settled for playing on the nearest tennis court by making a few adjustments, like lowering the net. Now that the sport has caught on around Chicagoland, pickleball courts are beginning to pop up everywhere!
These indoor and outdoor courts around Chicagoland are specifically dedicated to hosting pickleball matches. Playing here doesn’t require any league sign up and, best of all, you won’t have to share them with the tennis players. Simply show up with your paddle and ball and get your pickleball on!
Looking for more courts? Use the Pickleheads court finder to find a pickleball court near you, including indoor courts at fitness centers and tennis courts that have painted pickleball lines.
City
Avondale Neighborhood Park
- Address: 3516 W. School St., Chicago
This North Side park has two indoor pickleball courts in a shared gymnasium space. The courts have permanent lines and portable nets are provided. A one-time park district fee is required to play on these courts.
Bauler (Mathias) Park
- Address: 501 W. Wisconsin St., Chicago
There are two outdoor courts at Bauler Park with permanent lines. Portable nets are available. Bonus: there are picnic tables and a playground nearby so you can break for lunch, then keep the fun going all afternoon!
Clarendon Park Tennis Courts
- Address: 4501 N. Clarendon Ave., Chicago
OK, hear us out: you might have to share with the tennis players at these courts, but we’d be remiss if we didn’t share this scenic option. Located steps away from the beautiful parks, bird sanctuary and gardens that surround Montrose Beach is Clarendon Community Center.
The two shared courts at this park have pickleball lines overlaid on the tennis courts and, while nets are provided, they are a bit taller than pickleball height. But, playing at Clarendon Park makes it easy to squeeze a game, hang out at the beach and explore the city’s gorgeous parks, all in one day!
Gompers (Samuel) Park
- Address: 4222 W. Foster Ave., Chicago
There are so many reasons to love Gompers Park, but pickleball players will appreciate it most for its two outdoor, hard surface courts with permanent lines and nets.
Gwendolyn Brooks Park
- Address: 4542 S. Greenwood Ave., Chicago
The first South Side courts on the list are one of the most popular places to play outdoor pickleball in the city! The park boasts four courts with permanent lines and nets.
Pottawattomie Park
- Address: 7340 N. Rogers Ave., Chicago
Play indoors on two hardwood courts with permanent pickleball lines and portable nets.
Tuley (Murray) Park
- Address: 501 E. 90th Place, Chicago
Enjoy six lighted, outdoor courts for pickleball, complete with permanent lines and nets. After your game, you can swing by the Bronzeville Children’s Museum.
Warren (Laurence) Park
- Address: 6601 N. Western Ave., Chicago
Indoors or outdoors? Take your pick! At Warren Park and Field House, there are six outdoor and two indoor courts with permanent lines and portable nets, plus water fountains and restrooms.
Welles (Gideon) Park
- Address: 2333 W. Sunnyside Ave., Chicago
If you don’t mind playing on tennis courts that are overlaid with pickleball lines, Welles Park has three outdoor courts so you can get your pickleball on. The nets are a bit higher than a standard pickleball net, but the courts are free, lighted and near restrooms and water fountains.
North Suburbs
Danny Cunniff Park
- Address: 2700 Trail Way, Highland Park
Play ball, Highland Park! At Danny Cunniff Park, players can enjoy 16 outdoor courts complete with permanent lines and nets.
Joseph L. Fabbrini Park
- Address: 1704 Glen Lake Road, Hoffman Estates
With one of the largest pickleball facilities in the area, it’s no wonder pickleball players flock to Fabbrini Park. The facility holds 10 outdoor asphalt courts with lines and nets. The park is also home to baseball and soccer fields, volleyball courts, playgrounds, walking trails, a fishing dock and more.
Green Slopes Park
At Green Slopes Park, enjoy four outdoor pickleball courts with nets and permanent lines. The courts are closed during the winter and re-open in the spring.
Hamilton Park
- Address: 1103 N. Smith St., Palatine
This Palatine Park District facility holds six outdoor pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets. Once your game is over, let the kids explore the ”Ketchup and Mustard” playground.
Harrer Park
- Address: 6250 Dempster St., Morton Grove
Morton Grove Park District takes pickleball seriously. The two outdoor courts have permanent lines and nets, and there are even brooms kept at the courts so players can clear the ground of debris to avoid injury and ensure smooth game play. After your game, cool off on the Harrer Pool water slides.
Laramie Park
- Address: 7301 Niles Center Road, Skokie
The two wheelchair-accessible courts at Laramie Park are outdoors. The asphalt courts have permanent lines and nets.
Lawler Park
- Address: 10040 Lavergne Ave., Skokie
In addition to Laramie Park, Skokie has four other pickleball courts at Lawler Park. These courts are also outdoors with permanent lines and nets.
Locust Park
- Address: 700 E. Morris Drive, Palatine
Find three pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets at this Palatine Park District park. One of these courts is overlaid on a larger tennis court, but the other two are dedicated pickleball courts.
Sycamore Park
- Address: 850 N. Clark Drive, Palatine
Like Locust Park, this Palatine Park District facility has three outdoor pickleball courts: two dedicated courts and a third court that is overlaid on a larger tennis court,
Volz Park
Arlington Heights pickleball enthusiasts can play on three dedicated pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets.
South Suburbs
Hecht Park
- Address: 9310 Birch Ave., Mokena
In the far south suburb of Mokena, there are six dedicated pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets. The large park also has basketball courts, two playgrounds, a climbing wall, walking paths and so much more, making it an ideal destination for a full day of family fun!
Lawn Manor Park
- Address: 10800 S. Kostner Ave., Oak Lawn
Lawn Manor Park in Oak Lawn is home to three outdoor pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets.
West Suburbs
Barrie Park
- Address: 1011 S. Lombard Ave., Oak Park
Pickleball players can find six outdoor courts with dedicated lines and nets at Oak Park’s Barrie Park
Brook Park
- Address: 16 S. Park Ave., Hinsdale
Calling all Hinsdale pickleball players! Brook Park hosts six outdoor courts with permanent lines and nets. The courts are sandwiched between two tennis courts and a basketball court.
Central Park
- Address: 600 S. Main St., Wheaton
This park near downtown Wheaton has six outdoor courts with lights, permanent lines and nets. The courts are free and open to the public, but there are often park district programs using the courts, so be sure to check the park’s schedule before you go.
Hobson Corner Park
- Address: 2910 Hobson Road, Woodridge
Pickleball is life at this Woodridge park. There are a total of eight pickleball courts; four dedicated courts and four courts that are overlaid on the tennis courts. All of the courts have permanent lines and nets, but the nets on the tennis courts are a bit higher than pickleball height.
James Breen Community Park
Play on six outdoor acrylic courts that are dedicated to pickleball, no sharing involved! The courts have permanent lines and nets, and are wheelchair accessible.
Memorial Park
- Address: 132 W. Oak Ave., La Grange Park
Find two lighted, outdoor courts at Memorial Park. The courts are wheelchair accessible with permanent lines and nets.
Northeast Park
- Address: 200 39th St., Western Springs
Play on four dedicated pickleball courts with permanent lines and nets. Restrooms and water fountains are conveniently located close by.
Pottawatomie Community Center
- Address: 8 North Ave., St. Charles
Fans of indoor pickleball will appreciate the four courts inside the Pottawatomie Community Center. The free courts have dedicated pickleball lines and portable nets are available.
Rothermel Family Pickleball Courts
- Address: Frontier Sports Complex, 3415 Book Road, Naperville
These brand-new outdoor pickleball courts at Frontier Sports Complex in Naperville have permanent lines and nets. The six courts are lighted and wheelchair accessible.
Sure Shot Pickleball
- Address: 2244 Corporate Lane, Naperville
Opening August 2023, this 11-court facility will be completely dedicated to all things pickleball. Sure Shot operates on a membership model and provides changing rooms, professional coaching and training opportunities, a pro shop and more.
Western Springs Recreation Center
- Address: 1500 Walker St., Western Springs
Rain or shine, you can find a pickleball court at Western Springs Recreation Center. The complex has four outdoor courts and two indoor courts, all with dedicated lines and nets.
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