Pickleball in Seattle Southside
Hit the Court! Pickleball in Seattle Southside
Even if you don't know your dinks from your volleys, pickleball is a ton of fun for everyone.
When I first moved to the Pacific Northwest ten years ago, I’d never heard of pickleball before. I was surprised by this strange marriage of badminton, tennis, and ping pong, but the game that was once a novelty now feels like it’s everywhere. Pickleball was invented on nearby Bainbridge Island in 1965 and has turned into something of a global phenomenon. Here in Washington, not only is pickleball the official state sport, there’s even a bill in the works to have custom pickleball license plates made available. Seattle Southside has a particular tie to the sport - the first official Pickleball tournament ever held took place in 1976, held at the South Center Athletic Club in Tukwila, and while the site may no longer be a place you can visit, the spirit of Pickleball abounds in Seattle Southside’s passion for the sport.
Pickleball Courts in Seattle Southside
-
Tukwila Community Center
Get DirectionsBoasting beautiful meeting rooms, classrooms, banquet facilities, and a commercial kitchen, which are available for rental. The center is in a peaceful setting along the Duwamish River. It hosts several activities and…
-
SeaTac Parks and Recreation
Get Directions (206) 973-4680The SeaTac Community Center is a popular venue for wedding receptions, company banquets and family reunions. The 22,000 square foot facility is designed to serve all ages and meet the many recreational…
-
Des Moines Field House
Get DirectionsThe only full-log cabin in Washington State, was built in 1939 as part of a Depression-era recovery program. The House was designated as a King County Historic Landmark in 1984 and features…
-
McMicken Heights Park
Get DirectionsVisit this park today! Check out these amenities: tennis court, pickleball court, picnic table, open area, play equipment
-
Crystal Springs Park
Get DirectionsAn 11-acre wooded park with a small network of meandering trails, tennis and basketball courts, a playground, and picnicking areas. The park preserves historic springs that early pioneers used to irrigate farmland…
-
Tukwila Park
Get DirectionsThis 6.5-acre park site was built in 1934 and is the oldest of Tukwila’s parks. The site is covered with mature vegetation, which includes large fir trees and a variety of rhododendrons…
-
Foster Memorial Park
Get DirectionsThis nine-acre park is divided into three separate areas. The upper area, formerly known as Upper Foster Park, contains a small baseball field. The lower portion of the park contains a softball…
Organized League Play and Tournaments
The Westside Pickleball League plays out of SeaTac and Tukwila, organized as a ladder league divided by skill level. You don’t need a partner to register, as one will be found for you, and everyone is scored individually. Seasons last eight weeks and games take place in the evenings, making this an ideal league for blowing off steam after a work day. During the summer months, Tukwila hosts Pickleball in the Park events at rotating park venues to teach newcomers to the sport how to play and to show off the game in tournaments.
Outdoor Courts
Des Moines Field House Park
Not only does the Field House Park offer two public outdoor courts that can be used as tennis or pickleball courts, but the area is beautiful to boot. Enjoy gorgeous views before or after your game. Use of the courts is free.
McMicken Heights Park
Get your game on at a dedicated pickleball court, free for use to the public from dawn until dusk. No more fighting a tennis player with your paddle to get a game in!
Crystal Springs Park
This park has a tennis court that is also lined for pickleball. You’ll need to lower the net, but aside from that you’re free and clear to paddle on!
Tukwila Park
Tukwila Park has two tennis courts, each one of them lined for pickleball using the tennis net. Free and available on a first come first served basis.
Joseph Foster Memorial Park
This park has one dedicated pickleball court which shares pavement with the basketball court, and you may need to argue with a tennis player over which sport it’s intended for (it’s totally pickleball).
Indoor Courts
SeaTac Community Center
Drop-In Pickleball is available six days a week for only $3 per person! This indoor gymnasium has room for four courts and even offers Friday Night Pickleball. Check out their current gym schedule on the City of SeaTac’s website.
Tukwila Community Center
Drop-In pickleball is currently available three days a week and costs $5 per person or free with a membership. Availability changes based on the season, so be sure to check the Tukwila Parks and Recreation page for details. Players note that there is a lot of room all around each court, making it easy to maneuver.
You May Also Be Interested In...
The Seattle Southside Sports Scene
It's no secret that Seattle area sports fans are passionate about their hometown teams.
4 Destination Attributes to Look For When Planning a Sports Event
Trying to figure out where to host a sports tournament, training camp, or other sporting event? Not sure how to…
Camaraderie and Excitement at a Seattle Seawolves Game
What’s it like to experience a Seattle Seawolves gameday? There’s nothing else quite like it out there.
10 of the Best Trails, Parks & Beaches in Seattle Southside
Explore the Great Outdoors in Seattle Southside!
Get your workout in when you visit Seattle Southside
Is getting in shape one of your New Year's resolutions? Visiting from out-of-town and not sure where to go to…
Take a Hike this Fall
Summer may be over but there is still plenty of daylight for exploring the world-class trails of the Northwest.