Pickleball is a sport that is a cross between tennis and ping pong and it continues to grow in popularity. I’m happy to see it finally catching on in Fayette County, PA.

My husband and I were introduced to pickleball in 2014 when we lived in Oregon. We didn’t keep up with it at the time because we were moving, remodeling, and starting a family. But I’m excited that we are beginning to pick up the paddles again.

In this post, I’m going to talk about why I love pickleball, some gear we use, and court locations in Fayette County, PA.

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How to Play

I’ll let some local guys from Bikes and Hikes explain the details of how to play with this great video tutorial. You can also learn more about the specifics of the game, the court, and more here.

What I Like About Pickleball

I like Pickleballi for the following reasons:

  • Fun and easy to learn – Anyone who plays for the first time can usually pick up the game fairly quickly, get into the rhythm of a game, and become competitive. My experience with tennis on the contrary for example, just felt like a difficult game to get going.
  • Multigenerational – It’s really fun for a wide variety of ages (probably a challenge for really young children). It was fun to see the game catch on in my family when my parents began playing with my niece and nephew and it’s equally competitive across many ages.
  • Versatile– I’ve seen it played on a variety of surfaces indoors and outdoors (e.g. concrete, tennis indoor basketball courts, etc).
  • 2-4 players – It can be played both as singles and doubles.
  • Low impact – It’s fun a game way to stay active, but isn’t overly physical.
  • Easy to get started – You just need a few paddles, a ball (similar to a whiffle ball), a net, and a play space. When my family started playing, we didn’t even have a net. We laid a ladder down sideways (imagining a net was there) on a driveway. Eventually, we drew some lines with chalk, and later we finally bought a net.

Gear

When we started playing again, we purchased the Robbims Portable Pickleball Set which we have been happy with. My husband picked out this set after some research and when I asked him why he chose it, he shared it’s because it came with everything and it all fit into a carrying case.

Someone also kindly gifted us some cheaper paddles for the kids and they have worked just fine. I think they were purchased either at a dollar store or a craft store, such as Michael’s. But I’ve also seen inexpensive paddles at Walmart and sports stores like Dick’s.

One other piece of gear to consider is a net adjuster. Some of the pickleball courts listed below are just painted pickleball lines on an existing tennis court. I believea tennis court net is about 2″ higher than a pickleball net, which doesn’t seem like a lot, but it does make a difference. I have not used any of these products. But I’m just letting you know there are products out there you can look into that convert a tennis net to a pickleball net if you feel the need to.

Where to Play – Outdoor Pickleball

Here is a list of outdoor pickleball courts that I’m aware of in Fayette County, PA.

Bailey Park

  • 58 Dunbar St – Uniontown
  • Park features – Playground, basketball court, baseball fields, located on the Sheepskin Trail, Saturday morning farmers market seasonally. FYI bathrooms are open inconsistently.
  • Pickleball – A single spacious court is available at this time. Lines are painted on a concrete surface near the large parking area by the playground off Pennsylvania Ave. You need to take your own net. suggest bringing a broom or a leaf blower to clean the court before you play because there are many surrounding trees.

Uniontown YMCA

  • 1 YMCA Lane – Uniontown
  • There is league play I believe on MWF mornings (outdoors in the warmer months, and inside the gymnasium in the colder months). I think the courts are locked outside, but if you are a member you can have the courts opened to play. Outside, there is also a playground and basketball court next to the three pickleball courts. I suggest calling the front desk for the most up-to-date information.

Leith Park

Areford Park

  • 20 Eggleston St – Uniontown
  • Park features – playground, pavilion, restrooms, basketball court, and paved walking loop.
  • Pickleball- pickleball lines on existing tennis court

Wharton Park

  • 214 Elliotsville Rd – Farmington
  • Park features – walking loop, restrooms, pavilions, multiple playgrounds, basketball and volleyball courts, soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, a 9-hole disc golf course, and a short nature trail
  • Pickleball – pickleball lines on a tennis court located near the entrance to the park
  • If you love coffee as much as I do, don’t miss a stop at Fuel Coffee Works nearby.

Mountz Creek Park

  • West Cummings Ave – Connellsville
  • Park features – playground, pavilion, restrooms, and sand volleyball courts.
  • Pickleball – two pickleball courts are available plus painted pickleball lines on tennis courts
  • Want to play with a group? I noticed a group called Connellsville Pickleball Club you can look into.

Indoor Pickleball

Here are a few indoor options I have come across that I would suggest looking into:

  • Uniontown Area YMCA – There is consistent league play for members at the Y.
  • North Union Rec Center – I believe indoor pickleball is available to North Union residents. Call for more info.
  • St Mary’s Social Hall Brownsville – I’ve seen pickleball nets and I have heard there is occasional play here. I would call the parish or search for info on The Historic Church of St Peter Facebook page for more info.

Thanks for checking out the “dill” with pickleball in Fayette County, PA. If you have any additional information to share, please leave a comment. I hope you found this helpful and I hope you get out there and play this fun game. If you do, please tag me on Instagram (@adventureswkelly). I’d love to hear about or see your pickleball adventures.

Nearby Attractions

If you find yourself visiting Fayette County because you can’t find a court where you live, be sure to check out so many wonderful things in the county. Here’s a list to start: