Pickleball Winning Over Fairfield County By: Lucas Vance, Fairfield County Parks and Recreation Fairfield County Parks and Recreation has seen a recent boom in Pickleball play. You might ask ‘What is Pickleball?’ Pickleball is similar to other sports like tennis, ping pong, racquetball and badminton. Players say the sport is fun, social and easy for beginners to learn. The game appeals to people of all ages and skill levels.
The department has focused on expanding access to programs for all ages and abilities when social distancing is vital to maintaining a healthy community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pickleball has seen so much growth in the community that players have gone from playing once a week to filling up the courts three times a week!
Despite the funny name, pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the country. It is estimated that over 3 million people are playing the sport nationwide. Over the last six years, pickleball has seen a 650 percent increase over the last six years making it the fastest growing net sport. Fairfield County has seen growth in the sport as well. In the past year, Fairfield County Parks and Recreation has built four new courts and made renovations to accommodate the growing interest from the population.
The feedback Fairfield County Parks and Recreation Director Russell Price has received from the community has been exceptional. Players shared with Price that their social life reduced their dependency on medications and increased their connection to a younger generation. Price could not be more pleased with pickleball in Fairfield County. “It is so great to see all ages and levels come together. It has truly made a positive impact in our community,” Price said.
18 SOUTH CAROLINA Recreation and Parks • www.scrpa.org
