Central Park & CityPickle Say Pickleball Is Not Just For Rich People

by Stephanie Maida · March 29, 2023

Since blowing up in the past couple of years, Pickleball has taken over country clubs and gated communities from Hollywood to the Hamptons. Despite its truly silly moniker, it's even been dubbed "the preferred sport of the one percent."

Played with a whiffle ball and a paddle, the hybrid sport - a mix between tennis, ping-pong, and badminton - doesn't seem all that fancy. In fact, the required equipment, skillset, and physicality certainly make it a more accessible leisure activity than traditionally posh alternatives like, say, tennis or golf. Nevertheless, Pickleball has undeniably been claimed by rich people.

But we might finally be experiencing some trickle-down pickle economics.

Quickly growing in popularity, the sport is now heading to Manhattan's largest public park. This spring, Central Park's Wollman Rink will be transformed into a dedicated Pickleball oasis, featuring 14 full-sized courts, ostensibly for all New Yorkers to enjoy.

Run by a company called CityPickle, the seasonal courts may seem costly. Reserving your own for just one hour of play will run you $80 off-peak, and $120-per-hour during peak times. But since the game is typically played with doubles, and can be shared by up to eight people, the per person pricing works out to a more reasonable $10 to $15 an hour, with paddle rentals for $6.

And for those who may not have a group to play with, Open Play will be available for players to drop into games for $30 an hour - and the sesh includes a CityPickle teaching professional to facilitate games of all levels.

In fact, their mission does aim to make the game more accessible beyond the high-income zip codes. CityPickle and Wollman Rink will be partnering with The Boys Club of NY and The Challenged Athletes Foundation to provide programming and instruction, while the YMCA, Solutions Now, and Fountain house will also receive free court time.

To ensure pickleball is accessible to all New Yorkers, CityPickle will also reserve select courts daily from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m for Community Play for $5 per person, which also includes a free paddle rental.

“Our mission when founding CityPickle was to bring pickleball to as many New Yorkers as possible,” said Co-Founder of CityPickle Mary Cannon.

Move over, one percenters - we're ready to pickle.