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About

Pickleball is considered the fastest growing sport in the US. This new sport is a fun combination of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. This fun sport is enjoyable for all age groups.

Howard County Recreation and Parks currently offers adult programs along with drop-in play at the North Laurel Community Center and the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex. The department is looking to expand these programs to our outdoor facilities, incorporating youth programs and creating both youth and adult tournaments. 

For more information, please contact Amanda Bartell, 410-313-1694 or abartell@howardcountymd.gov. 

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Sign up to keep updated with any new Pickleball programs, classes, tournaments and leagues that are offered through Howard County Recreation & Parks. 

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Pickleball Instructor Opportunity

Howard County Recreation and Parks is looking to hire experienced Pickleball instructors to lead programs, classes and/or clinics for both youth and adults. Schedules are based on the availability of the applicant and when space is available at the facilities and parks. 

Please CLICK HERE for more information and to submit an application for the position.  

Pickleball Programs

After-School

After-School Pickleball (7-10 yrs)
Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America! This new sport is a combination of badminton, tennis, and ping-pong. Learn the basic rules and skills of this fun and exciting sport through an engaging curriculum. Info: Amanda Bartell, 410-313-1694 or abartell@howardcountymd.gov.  

Youth Lessons

NEW! Youth Pickleball Lessons (6-12 yrs)
Do you want to try the fastest growing sport in the country? Pickleball is a combination of badminton, tennis and ping-pong. These small group lessons are filled with instructional drills, fun games and interactive activities. These classes are designed for participants to learn the fundamentals of Pickleball including the rules of the game, different parts of the court, serving, scoring, and different stroke techniques. All equipment for the lessons will be provided.

Adult Lessons

NEW! Adult Pickleball Lessons (18+yrs)
Do you want to try the fastest growing sport in the country? These small group lessons are filled with instructional drills, strategy development and other activities. All equipment for the lessons will be provided.

Beginner
This class is designed to offer an introduction and overview of Pickleball. Over the course of the session, you'll learn the rules, scoring and basic game play. Learn and practice serves, returns, third shots, volleying and dinks. Topics like strategy and how to play effectively with a partner are also covered. At the completion of this course, you will have a strong understanding of the game and can continue proving your strokes and techniques. Suggested Pickleball rating of 2.0-2.5.

Intermediate
This course is designed to increase and improve upon a foundational understanding of Pickleball. The program is suited for experienced players who are ready to take it to the next level. Work on perfecting your stroke and technique while focusing on strategy, (knowing when to hit which shot when). Showcase your skills in a friendly tournament the final week of class. Suggested Pickleball rating of 2.5 and above.  

Adult League

Adult Pickleball League

These Adult Pickleball Leagues consists of doubles pool play during the regular season and a tournament on the last day of the season. Teams will play best two out of three games each week. Complete league rules are listed below. Standings from the regular season games will determine the brackets for the tournament. There will a beginner, intermediate and advanced section of the league; subject to change based on enrollment. Suggested skill levels for the divisions are 2.0-2.5 for Beginner, 3.0-3.5 for Intermediate, and 4.0+ for Advanced. You can CLICK HERE for a guide to self-assess your skill level for the appropriate divisions. Complete season schedule will be sent out to all participants prior to the start date. 

Fall 2018 Season:

  • Women’s Doubles League - Mondays
    • Start Date: Monday, September 10
    • Game Times: Between 5:00pm and 7:00pm
    • Location: Thunder Hill ES and/or Hammond Park
    • Divisions: Beginner (RP6834.101), Intermediate (RP6834.102), Advanced (RP6834.103), or Individual – No Partner (RP6834.104)
    • Regular Season: 7 weeks
    • End of the Season Tournament: Monday, October 29*
    • Price: $55/player

 

  • Men’s Doubles League - Tuesdays
  • Start Date: Tuesday, September 11
  • Game Times: Between 5:00pm and 7:00pm
  • Location: Thunder Hill ES and/or Hammond Park
  • Divisions: Beginner (RP6834.105), Intermediate (RP6834.106), Advanced (RP6834.107), or Individual – No Partner (RP6834.108)
  • Regular Season: 7 weeks
  • End of the Season Tournament: Tuesday, October 30*
  • Price: $55/player

 

  • Mixed Doubles League - Saturdays
  • Start Date: Thursday, September 8
  • Game Times: Between 9:00am and 12:00pm
  • Location: Thunder Hill ES and/or Hammond Park
  • Divisions: Beginner (RP6834.109), Intermediate (RP6834.110), Advance (RP6834.111), or Individual – No Partner (RP6834.112)
  • Regular Season: 7 weeks
  • End of the Season Tournament: Thursday, October 27*
  • Price: $55/player

  

*Tournament dates subject to change due to inclement weather or any other unforeseen circumstances.

 

Registration: 

  • Deadline: 
  • 410-313-7275, www.howardcountymd.gov/rap, or 7120 Oakland Mills Road, Columbia, MD 21046

Adult Play

Pickleball for All (18+ yrs)

The Pickleball for All program is an opened play opportunity for participants 18+ yrs and of any skill level. There is no game structure and participants are free to rotate between the other participants at the program to play friendly matches.

 

We've added a NEW monthly membership aspect to the program. These membership packages allow participants to register for as many dates as they would like within a month that the Pickleball for All program is offered (first come, first serve) at a discounted membership monthly price. After purchasing a membership package for a month, participants must then register for the specific date(s) within that month they will be attending before being allowed to participate. If you choose not to purchase a membership package, participants can still register for the day-by-day play at a $5/day fee. All participants must be registered for specific date(s) in order to participate in the program.

  Month        Membership Package        Day-By-Day Registration**           
  September   CLICK HERE for Membership   CLICK HERE to register for September dates
  October   CLICK HERE for Membership   CLICK HERE to register for October dates
  November   CLICK HERE for Membership   CLICK HERE to register for November dates
  December    CLICK HERE for Membership   CLICK HERE to register for December dates
**$5/day fee without the monthly membership package

 

Participants can also purchase a membership package and/or register for specific dates by calling our registration department at 410-313-7275.

CLICK HERE for Frequently Asked Questions about the Pickleball Membership Packages.

Pickleball for All Refund Policy:
1. If a Pickleball for All participant needs to change playing date(s), they must contact HCRP at 410-313-7275 before their registered date(s) and can either transfer into another date if spots are available or receive a full credit back on to their HCRP account. 
2. If a Pickleball for All participant misses a date that they’re registered for, that participant will not be allowed to transfer to another date or receive a credit/refund.
3. If a date for the Pickleball for All program is canceled due to inclement weather or any other unforeseen circumstances, all participants registered for that date will be issued a full credit back on to their HCRP account. 

Drop-In

Pickleball (16+ yrs)
This program is free for facility member. If you are not member of the facility, it's a $5 per day cost. The program will be held at the North Laurel Community Center on Friday mornings from 9am to 12pm. For more information, CLICK HERE. 

 

Tournament

2018 Pickleball Classic Tournament:

Howard County Recreation and Parks held our Pickleball Classic Tournament on August 4 and 5 at the Meadowbrook Athletic Complex. 

 

Final Brackets:

 

Pictures:

You can CLICK HERE to view the pictures from the 2018 tournament.

Permitted Courts

HCRP permits Pickleball courts throughout the year for scheduled programs, classes and leagues. Below is an overview of days and times that specific courts are not available for public use. 

  • Fall (September-November)
    • Thunder Hill Elementary School
      • Mondays: 4:30-7:30pm
      • Tuesdays: 3:30-7:30pm
      • Saturdays: 9:30am-12:30pm
    • Hammond Park
      • Mondays: 3:30-7:30pm
      • Tuesdays: 4:30-7:30pm
      • Saturdays: 9:30am-12:30pm

*Subject to change due to make-up dates/classes

NEW! Atholton Courts

NEW! Outdoor Pickleball Courts

Atholton - Pickleball Ribbon Cutting

Howard County Recreation and Parks opens the County's FIRST outdoor Pickleball courts at Atholton Park, 6875 Greenleigh Drive in Columbia. The two courts will meet the USA Pickleball Association's approved court dimensions, measuring 20' by 44'.