Kirkland now offers pickleball program

Program offers new courts, instructional clinics, indoor game play and a fall league.

September 4, 2019 10:30 am

The city of Kirkland’s new pickleball program, which rolled out last month, introduced three new pickleball courts at Everest Park and includes multiple upcoming opportunities for players to develop their skills. The program features instructional clinics, equipment rentals, pickleball party packages, a competitive fall pickleball league and drop-in indoor pickleball at the North Kirkland Community Center (NKCC).

“This new program is a terrific example of the community informing our efforts as we seek to enhance and grow our parks programming,” Kirkland Parks and Community Services director Lynn Zwaagstra said in a press release. “Pickleball is here because our community asked for it. We are excited to offer this great new program and love seeing the new courts packed with pickleball players.”

Pickleball clinics are designed for beginner to intermediate players and are held on select Saturdays at Everest Park. Lender equipment is available at the two-hour clinics, but attendees are encouraged to bring their own equipment. Clinics will run through Nov. 16.

The city’s fall pickleball league offers mixed doubles and men’s doubles divisions, with matches from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays starting Sept. 28, running through Oct. 26. The 2019 pickleball season includes five weeks of play and one week of playoffs, with league champions earning official “champion” T-shirts and bragging rights.

Teams must provide their own paddles and balls.

Drop-in indoor pickleball is available at NKCC throughout the fall (Sept. 11 through Nov. 20) and winter (Dec. 4 through Feb. 26) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. One full-size court and two modified courts are available and doubles format is encouraged.

To rent pickleball equipment, residents can stop by NKCC. Equipment must be picked up at the community center and returned there at the end of the day. NKCC is located at 12421 103rd Ave. NE. in Totem Lake and Everest Park is located at 500 8th Street South. For more information about pickleball, visit bit.ly/fallwinteractivities, or email eparks@kirklandwa.gov.