Durham Parks And Rec To Install Dedicated Pickleball Facility; Host Tourney This Weekend

Durham, NC – Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) will be installing its first dedicated pickleball facility at Piney Wood Park (400 E Woodcroft Pkwy). DPR will be able to host sanctioned tournaments, clinics, lessons, ladder play, and of course, a lot of open play with this new 14 court facility.

According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, pickleball—a cross between ping pong, tennis, and badminton—is among the fastest-growing sports in the nation. The court is about a third of the size of a tennis court and uses a paddle and a pickleball, a colorful perforated hard plastic ball.

This weekend, Durham Area Pickleball Players (DAPP) in partnership with DPR and the Durham Parks Foundation (DPF) will host a Bull City Open Pickleball Tournament to raise funds for the lighting project at the facility. The tournament will be held at Bethesda Park (1814 Stage Road) from Friday, July 30 through Sunday, August 1,  8 am – 9:30 pm daily.

To kick-off the event this Friday (at approximately 7:45 am), Tournament Director/Durham Ambassador Tracey Taylor, Co-Director Toby Berla, and their team will present a check for $11,111 to DPR Director Wade Walcutt.

“We are thrilled to provide this much-needed facility for a sport that has become increasingly popular in Durham and the surrounding areas,” stated DPR Director Wade Walcutt. “We are extremely grateful for the tournament organizers from DAPP, the Durham Parks Foundation, tournament players, sponsors, and donors for their generosity and support of this tournament.”  

Divisions are separated by age and level. The top three winners will receive a medal. Registration is full for the tournament with a total of 232 players, but spectators are welcome. The entry fee was $45 for the first round and $15 for the second. Food trucks will also be on-site.  

Funds for the overall project will go toward the lighting portion of the new pickleball courts, which is scheduled to be complete mid-year of 2022. The Durham Parks Foundation will manage the funds to support the lighting project and other amenities at the facility.

The Bull City Open Pickleball Tournament sponsors are Durham Parks Foundation, PROLITE Pickleball, Pickleball Central, GAMMA, ENGAGE, Vulcan, CORE, JIGSAW, ONIX, and SELKIRK.

 About Durham Parks and Recreation

Durham Parks and Recreation provides opportunities for the Durham community to Play More by connecting our whole community to wellness, the outdoors, and lifelong learning. To learn more about Durham Parks and Recreation, visit us online, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, or call (919) 560-4355.