Pickleball
If you are looking to play a sport that is good exercise and easy to learn, pickleball may be the answer! The Peoria Park District provides a variety of indoor and outdoor opportunities to learn and play the game. Plus, pickleball is a great social outlet! Pickleball is offered outdoors at Charter Oak Park and Glen Oak Park as well as indoors at Lakeview Recreation Center and Owens Recreation Center. Check below for seasonal operation of our indoor facilities.
Pickleball is one of the fastest growing exercise social outlets for the active 50+ generation. If you are an active man or woman, age 50 plus, who would like to play a sport that provides a great workout –but doesn’t require athletic skill or the fitness of a 20 year old, you should join the Pickleball Revolution! Pickleball isn’t just a senior sport… it provides opportunities to exercise and socialize all at the same time!
Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis and table tennis. It is played on an indoor or outdoor court that is approximately half the size of a tennis court. Equipment consists of a wooden paddle (like a ping pong paddle but with a larger head), a polymer wiffleball (moves at one-third the speed of a tennis ball), and a net that sits four inches lower than a tennis net. The smaller area combined with the slower moving ball makes pickleball much easier to play (and is supposedly much easier on the knees) than tennis.
Lakeview Recreation Center (4 courts)
- October 2, 2023 – May 24, 2024
- Monday through Friday – 9am-noon
Owens Ice Center
- June – first week of August
Charter Oak Park (near Charter Oak School)
- Click here to learn more about the Charter Oak Park Pickleball/Tennis schedules and court rules.
Glen Oak Park (8 courts)
- Glen Oak Park Pickleball Courts are open from sunrise to dusk daily. These 8 courts are dedicated only to Pickleball play.
RiverPlex (4 courts)
- August 14, 2023 – May 24, 2024
- Mondays-Friday – 9:00am-noon
- September 7, 2023 – November 30, 2023
- Thursdays – 5:00-7:30pm
- If the gym is available, players may play at other times
- If you are registered for Silver Sneakers at the RiverPlex, you must scan your card when you enter.
Franciscan Recreation Center (3 courts)
- October 2, 2023 – May 24, 2024
- Tuesdays & Thursday 5:00pm-7:30pm
- October 7, 2023 – April 29, 2024
- Saturdays – 8:30-11:00am
Pickleball Lessons
Pickleball lessons and clinics are offered throughout the year. For lessons, click here. For clinics, please visit our main page of the website and look for an event posting.
