Pickleball players don’t have to make reservations anymore at Mecklenburg County parks

CHARLOTTE, N.C. ( QUEEN CITY NEWS ) — There are new rules in effect for Mecklenburg County’s public pickleball courts.

Previously, paid reservations had to be made to ensure play at any time at any of the courts available at county parks.

Now, as of July 1, a third of all the courts are available for free open play. Signage has been posted at the specific courts that will be set aside for players to come in and play as they wish.

Aokie James, a pickleball player and advocate, noted the reservation system had been in place around a year. She said open play is standard in other cities’ pickleball courts.

James said she had been in contact with Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation about making the change, which would encourage more people to come into the fast-growing sport.

“You still want to keep people being able to reserve courts, but you also want to get the demand of people who want to come and play in public spaces,” she said.

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