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Building Community Through Fun: PRNS Responds to Pickleball Mania
PRNS’ investments in pickleball courts are just the beginning of community building infrastructure improvements
*This is a special feature from the City of San José, Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services
Pock, pock, smack! As the sun rises over the dew-covered grass, there’s an unmistakable rhythmic sound that echoes across the field.
Two players face off against each other on opposite sides of the court. Their eyes are narrowed in concentration, their muscles tensed and ready to spring.
In their hands are flat, rectangular paddles. With a carefully timed swing, one player sends the ball soaring across the net.
Made of lightweight plastic, a pickleball almost looks like a wiffle ball. Make no mistake, this is no dusty game you’d find at the back of your garage.
Pickleball, which incorporates elements of tennis and ping-pong, has skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years.
Just as quickly as pickleball is growing, so are the places you can play it! Thanks to renovations by the San José Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) department, there are more new areas to get your workout outdoors. Outdoor parks such as John Mise Park, River Glen Park, Paul Moore Park and Edenvale Park, and indoor sites like Bascom Community Center and Camden Community Center feature pickleball areas.
Still not enough to get your pickleball fix? Look no further than Groesbeck Park! This park is the newest addition to pickleball playing that PRNS has to offer. With a complete renovation, Groesbeck Park now has four brand new pickleball courts. New windscreens were also installed around the perimeter of the courts.
Pickleball is just one way to get a fun workout in the beautiful San José sunshine.
Adding in these areas is critical to PRNS’ mission of building community through fun. By creating more spaces for outdoor recreation, PRNS provides critical access to “third spaces”.
“Third spaces” are the hottest new term in the conversation about relaxation and socialization. Third spaces refer to an area outside work and home where people find connection with others. These spaces allow for socialization and connection that is more accessible.
Parks Manager Steve Ryan agrees that outdoor spaces like Groesbeck Park are critical to building community. “These spaces are important for people to get exercise, connect with one another, and enjoy both passive and interactive sports. By providing these recreational spaces for the public to use, it organically provides access to sports and recreation.”
Pickleball is a great way to connect with old friends or meet new ones.
Adding these new spaces creates even more opportunity for connection. Ryan sees these improvements as investments in the future, saying, “we are always looking for opportunities to provide safe, playable and accessible sport courts to San José residents and visitors. If you like sports...then you're going to have fun using these spaces. They are incredible improvements that people will enjoy for many years to come.”
The next time you’re debating where to meet up with your friends, maybe consider putting the latte on hold. Instead, meet up outside and try your hand at pickleball at one of the many sports facilities PRNS has to offer, or just soak in the sun. PRNS believes in investing in the future of all San Joséans, and building social connections and community through excitement and fun.
If you are as inspired to volunteer with PRNS, please visit sanjoseca.gov/prns. The ActivateSJ Strategic Plan is the City of San José's Department of Parks, Recreation and Neighborhood Services (PRNS) plan to maintain, improve and expand our facilities, programs, and services. The plan guides how we care for and develop a diverse park system and an abundance of recreation programs and services for all in San José.
ActivateSJ’s mission is to connect people through parks, recreation, and neighborhood services for an active San José. To learn more about our department’s plan and vision to move forward, visit activatesj.org.