Uncovering the Magic of Pickleball in RVA
Image: Andrew Knight | Forest Hill Park
Whack. Whack. Whack. *cheering* Whack. Whack.
The sound is unmistakable. When a plastic wiffle ball meets a plastic paddle, it creates a glorious noise familiar to many but foreign to most. It’s the product of a game of pickleball. And it’s made its mark here in RVA.
If you’ve taken a walk or bike ride around Forest Hill Park, you’ve probably seen the masses lined up along the courts smacking the S*&T (or you know what) out of the ball. From young children, to grandparents, father-and-son combos, neighbors, coworkers, and everything in between, the sport of pickleball is picking up steam around the country and right here in our own backyard.
Local residents are capitalizing on the growth of the sport — take, for example, Nicole Thompson and her husband, who are building an indoor pickleball facility, Bangers and Dinks, in Midlothian, set to open this spring. It seems like every other town hall meeting consists of someone bringing up the idea of adding more public courts, and it doesn’t look like this pickleball craze is coming to a halt anytime soon.
But what is pickleball, you ask? Think ping-pong meets tennis, without the strenuous activity. Probably one of the most forgiving racket sports ever invented, pickleball is exciting, fast-paced but also laid back and approachable for everyone. There are plenty of public courts scattered around the region, and this guide will help you take your first swing.
— by Andrew Knight, Contributing Writer (and the brains behind RVA James River Fishing Report. Follow him @rvajamesriverfishreport!)
Forest Hill Park
Located just east of Westover Hills, Forest Hill Park got its fame during the heyday of the RVA Big Market and, of course, for its beautiful scenery and mountain bike trails near the James River. However, as of late, the park has expanded its offerings to include a series of pickleball courts that ~serve~ as some of the city’s best options for people looking to play.
The park is home to six dedicated pickleball courts with convenient dividers in between to keep balls from rolling astray. The nets are in perfect shape, and the lines are marked as clear as you can get, so you don’t have to worry about playing with that one friend who has questionable calls.
Built back in the summer of 2019, these courts have become a signature staple of the community and are met with friendly faces welcoming new players. I visited the courts recently with my younger brother, Jonathan (pictured above). The courts were full when we arrived, but after waiting a few minutes, a couple asked if we wanted to use their court in order to accommodate the heavy traffic. If that act of kindness doesn’t communicate the warmth felt at Forest Hill Park, I don’t know what else can!
Have fun, maybe bring a fishing rod — for the pond down the hill — and enjoy whacking the ball in a wonderful setting.
Location: 4021 Forest Hill Ave (Forest Hill)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Randolph Community Center
Offering city dwellers another pickleball escape are the Randolph Community Center pickleball courts, located right alongside I-95 in the Randolph neighborhood. These courts were resurfaced back in 2018 and remain in excellent condition. There are two main pickleball courts located in the park and a side tennis court that picklers frequently use as an additional option.
What makes these courts especially nice are the lights that allow for nighttime pickleball and winter post-work sessions, when daylight saving time is in full effect. I’ve biked by this spot the past few weeks, and there hasn’t been a single evening during the work week when I haven’t seen the courts full. Another added benefit of the Randolph courts includes the public pool next door, which is open in the summertime. After you’ve successfully hit a few “dinks” (the soft shot hit with backspin in the opponent’s non-volley zone) in the “kitchen” (non-volley zone), head over to the pool to cool off and soak in your glory!
Location: 1507 Grayland Ave (Randolph)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Pouncey Tract Park
The goldmine of pickleball courts in Richmond is without a doubt the Pouncey Tract Park pickleball courts, located in Short Pump. These 12 perfectly maintained, fully lit courts are a pickleballer’s dream, and the space is only growing, thanks to Henrico County’s $2.2 million investment to build 12 more.
It’s not unusual to see these courts filled to the brim on a warm winter day, and the quality facilities seem to bring out the best players in the region. However, the courts still welcome all ages and skill levels, so give them a try and don’t be upset if you get “pickled” (lose a game 11-0).
The courts are located adjacent to the popular Striker Park sports complex, so soccer families should plan to pack a few paddles and take a break from a long soccer tournament-filled weekend with some pickling!
As a fun bonus, Virginia’s number one pickleball player, Jhonnatan Medina-Álvarez, is a Richmond native and was featured in a CBS6 segment at Pouncey Tract Park’s courts. Check out the full story here. And who knows? Maybe with some practice and dedication, you can become the next GPOAT (Greatest Pickler Of All Time).
Location: Pouncey Tract Rd (Short Pump)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Bill Robinson Park
Another new name to RVA’s pickleball scene list is Bill Robinson Park. The spot, located in the Chimborazo neighborhood in the city’s East End, welcomed two brand new courts last year. As with most new developments in the pickleball scene, the Bill Robinson courts are in perfect shape. If you’re looking for an afternoon activity with the kids but you’re scared to commit to a full-on pickleball session, Bill Robinson might be the perfect solution. The courts are within a few feet of a dazzling playground, so maybe try and find a way to introduce the sport with incentive of playground time afterwards?
These courts also offer decent lighting at night to keep the rallies going past sunset. After you’re done playing, spend the evening in Churc Hill enjoying the views and some of RVA’s best restaurants (i.e. Union Market, Alewife, and Cobra Burger).
Location: 2999 Darbytown Rd (Chimborazo)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
Bryan Park
While certainly not the prettiest courts on the list, Bryan Park does have a small pickleball scene that is expected to grow, according to rumors of a pickleball court expansion project in the city’s master plan. These courts are located in the heart of Bryan Park, near the start of the soccer fields, and are more tennis-courts-turned-pickleball-courts — made up of “official” pickleball taped lines and a traditional tennis court net.
However, what makes these courts a nice option is the reduced crowd and variety of surrounding activities for the kids. Visiting for a soccer game? Stopping by the RVA Big market on a Saturday morning? Trying to keep up with your annoying, addicted-to-disc-golf friend? Tired of that six-hour long picnic? Well, lucky for you, if you bring a paddle and a ball, you can take a break from the other less fun activities and have a go at some pickleball!
Location: 4425 Williamsburg Ave (Lakeside)
Hours: Sunrise to sunset
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