Teresa Bitler 2023-12-19 06:29:00
A cross between tennis, badminton, and ping pong, pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States with more than 4.8 million people facing off on courts nationwide. Pennsylvania has its fair share of those courts. Whether you have your own paddle and whiffle-like ball or are just curious about the sport, you can include pickleball in your next Pennsylvania vacation. In Reading, West Reading Pickleball has 10 pickleball courts with shaded benches and picnic tables. Beginners can sign up for classes and private lessons or just have fun on courts 1 and 2 while more experienced players can meet up for competitive play on the remaining courts. Nearby in West Lawn, retailer Fromuth Pickleball sells paddles, balls, and other gear for all skill levels and price ranges. Riverbank Park in Verona features four partially shaded courts that are free to play and open from 9 a.m. until dark. While anyone can play on courts 1 and 2 anytime on a first-come, first-served basis, courts 3 and 4 can be reserved from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, through an online sign-up system. If all courts are occupied, you can sign up for the next available court on a whiteboard mounted on the fence. Just north of Philadelphia in Quakertown, Robert O. Keller Memorial Park has eight pickleball courts with shaded benches for players between games. Park courts are open dependent on the weather. During the winter, you can play indoors at the local YMCA. Several local instructors teach the basics to beginners and help seasoned players hone their game. Not far from Quakertown, Mill Race Park in Easton has five pickleball courts and a Facebook community to answer questions. Trees provide some shade, and players can relax between games on nearby benches and picnic tables. You don’t have to play pickleball to enjoy the sport. Every year, Pittsburgh hosts the GAMMA Pickleball Classic, the largest pickleball event in the nation with more than 1,000 players competing as singles and doubles. Proceeds from the three-day event benefit the Parkinson Foundation of Western Pennsylvania. Pickled: A Fermented Trail Pickleball isn’t the only pickle Pennsylvanians love. The state is crazy about specialty fermented foods of all kinds. Discover the state’s best pickles, sauerkraut, kombucha, beer, and more on this curated pickle trail.
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