This page was updated Oct. 2024.
The latest on pickleball in Wellesley, Sept. 2024
The Wellesley Recreation Commission held an online public hearing on Monday, Sept. 30, 2024, to present and discuss the latest on four possible pickleball courts at the Morses Pond parking lot. Here’s a link to that hearing. Some technical issues at the start prompted a decision that additional meetings will be held at times to be determined to ensure all those who want to speak to the subject have a chance to do so.
A Pickleball Feasibility & Design Study draft presentation from town consulting partner Weston & Sampson has been posted on the town website.
Overview of pickleball in Wellesley
Pickleball has taken the country by storm, and Wellesley is no exception. As of July 2023, the town has been figuring out ways to provide noise relief to neighbors of pickleball courts at Sprague Field and Perrin Park, and fair court access to pickleball and tennis players (tennis still accounts for two-thirds of court reservations). Only Wellesley residents may reserve courts and acquire a membership. Most updated information, as well as court reservations, here.
The Morses Pond parking lot has been raised as a possible new location throughout the process to address pickleball demand vs. neighbors’ rights. The Department of Public Works in summer 2023 put through a proposal for possibly locating 4 pickleball courts at the Morses Pond parking lot.
During Fall 2023 Town Meeting the conversation was advanced, and funding for a study was approved to further look at the issue such as determining demand for pickleball, ranking possible locations, and establishing criteria for locations. Then a chunk of the funding would be used to evaluate specific sites.
One Town Meeting member said the community-building aspect of pickleball is huge, so having a bunch of courts together rather than spread all over town is important to enable that. Another vouched for the inclusivity of pickleball in that it’s not just for older people, but also entire families.
Town Meeting approved funding the study by a 135-40-1 vote (see the Town Meeting scorecard for all vote totals so far).
Morses Pond lot—next pickleball court location?
Hunnewell Field
Map to courts
8 courts (mixed use between pickleball and tennis on court #8 nearest Whole Foods)
A practice wall
Lights at night from May-August for those who buy tags via the town’s recreation department
Hours: 8am – 9:30pm
Perrin Park
Thomas Rd., end of dead-end street
Pickleball only on Sundays
Hours: 9am-7pm
Phillips Park
Behind Phillips Park apartments, 324 Washington St.
Pickleball only
9am-7pm
Schofield Elementary School
27 Cedar St., Map )
3 courts (mixed use)
Hours: 9am – 7pm
Sprague Elementary School
May 8, 2024 update:
After more than 45 minutes of discussion during the May 7 School Committee meeting, the School Committee voted 4-1 to reduce the number of days that pickleball can be played on the Sprague courts from four to two once courts at the Hunnewell complex on Washington Street open up after the high school tennis season ends in late June. School Committee members floated various possibilities, with Chair Craig Mack asking about whether there might be a way to restrict play to those who don’t whack the ball as hard (and noisily) at Sprague or perhaps reducing the hours of court availability on the days play is allowed.
Under the School Committee’s decision, Sprague courts would be open for pickleball on Saturdays and a weekday to be determined by Rec; it remains to be seen what would be allowed at the Sprague courts once the high school tennis season starts up again next year
Details about the courts:
Four courts (mixed use)
Play will be allowed only on Saturdays and one weekday to be determined after June 2024.
Must provide own nets for pickleball.
Hours: 9am-7pm
Wellesley Rec.—indoor pickleball
Wellesley Rec. has indoor pickleball at the Warren Building, 90 Washington St.
You MUST reserve your sport on the court for these days. You can only reserve a week ahead. Reservations are made by calling 781-235-2370, or visiting the Rec. Office. Twelve people will be allowed per week, per time slot. There are two courts available per time slot. There is a $5 fee.
Pickleball beyond Wellesley—Wells Ave YMCA in Newton
We recently toured the one-year old Wells Avenue YMCA, a bright, shiny, gorgeous facility at 135 Wells Ave., Newton.
They’ve got 6 brand-new indoor courts available during drop in times.
The pickleball courts are free for WSYMCA members. Non-Members must pay the guest pass fee ($15 or $20)
Drop in and play on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday’s from 5:30AM – 7:00AM (3-6 NETS), 7:00am – 2:30PM (6 NETS). Wednesday’s 5:30AM – 7:00AM (3-6 NETS), 7:00AM – 1:00PM (6 NETS) in the Wells Avenue gymnasium.
Saturday/Sunday’s 7:00AM – 6:00PM (on 3 NETS)
Hours were updated Dec. 2023.
Please contact Josh Downes at 617-795-1788 or joshuad@wsymca.org for more information.
