News
This page contains news releases of interest to pickleball players in Durham. The most recent news is at the top of the page.
Message from Durham Parks and Recreation Department, Dec 12, 2023:
It’s finally here! The first twelve-court dedicated Pickleball facility in Durham will open December 18 at Piney Wood Park! Durham Parks and Recreation (DPR) joins the community in excitement for this highly anticipated amenity that has been in development since 2020.
The facility features twelve dedicated Pickleball Courts with lights available until 9 p.m. Eight courts will be available for daily open play, while four courts can be rented for leagues, individual play, lessons and organized drilling groups through Durham Parks and Recreation. All twelve courts can be reserved for tournaments every other month, Friday through Sunday. This information is readily available online at dprplaymore.org/450.
Finishing touches, including court signs are soon to come. Portable ADA restrooms will be available on site.
We want to extend a special thanks to the Durham Parks Foundation and Durham Area Pickleball Players for their $22,000 contribution for interior fencing!
Plans for a community celebration and formal dedication to commemorate the opening of this long-awaited facility will be announced in the New Year. In the meantime, the Piney Wood Pickleball courts will be open for play and reservations beginning December 18 at sunrise.
To learn more and to reserve a court, visit dprplaymore.org/450
Message from Durham Parks and Recreation Department, Oct 12, 2023:
All 12 courts have been striped, and Dickerson Fence is currently installing the fence fabric and gates. The fencing work should be completed by end of next week. Once the fence and gates are installed and lockable, the posts and nets will be installed. Contractor will be in place to repair the damaged sidewalks. DPR and General Services will continue to work on the outside of the courts with drainage, seeding, slope, drains, etc. Once this is complete, we will clean up and demobilize from the site as all contract work will be completed. DPR is currently working with organize and setting a date for the Grand Opening. Please email Tammy.Brown@durhamnc.gov if you have any questions.
Message from Durham Parks and Recreation Department, Aug 1, 2023:
Durham Parks and Recreation Department is excited to announce that we have added lines for 4 pickleball courts on tennis courts #4 and #5 at Morreene Road Park. This is a site where players will be responsible for bringing their own pickleball nets and removing them directly after play. Nets left unattended may be subject to being removed and discarded. Courts #1 and #3 will be available to reserve and courts #2 and #4 will be for open play only. Play will be based on a first come/first serve basis. Special thanks go out to the Maintenance Unit for an excellent job with painting the lines. Enjoy playing everyone!
Address:
Morreene Rd. Park
1102 Morreene Rd.
Durham, NC 27705
Please call DPR at 919-560-4355 ext. 27225 or email Tammy.Brown@durhamnc.gov if you have any questions.
Message from Durham Parks and Recreation Department, July 28, 2023:
DPR is excited to inform you that the installation of the LED lights on Tennis/Pickleball courts and the painting of the parking lot lines have been completed at Bethesda Park this month. The Tennis/Pickleball courts are officially open. We appreciate your patience while this facility was closed.
Please call DPR at 919-560-4355 ext. 27225 if you have any questions.
Message from Durham Parks and Recreation Department: (revised July 24, 2023)
As tennis and pickleball courts are popular amenities during the summer months, we want to reach out with a few friendly reminders to ensure we’re all having fun and DPR is providing the best customer service to everyone using the courts at Bethesda Park.
DPR has designated specific days and times at Bethesda Park for tennis and pickleball. Please refer to our website for schedules and closure dates.
Groups, individuals, instructors, and leagues may reserve pickleball courts #1 and #2 and tennis court #1 for dedicated play time. Courts can be reserved online here. Court reservations are required for anyone providing coaching, training, or instructions for tennis or/and pickleball.
Athletics staff have been assigned to oversee and assist with the court schedule at Bethesda Park. Assigned times are enforced to help provide equity, consistency, and structure at these dual use courts. While using the courts for an activity outside of the designated schedule is prohibited, we ask that you please be respectful in allowing the scheduled sport priority use if asked by a community member or staff while using the courts.
We appreciate the patience of the community as we continue maintenance of our pickleball and tennis courts. Painting pickleball lines at Morreene Road tennis courts is a high priority. We will keep you updated when a timeline for this project is available.
The tennis and pickleball communities have been a great asset in helping DPR create the management plan for Bethesda Park courts. We want to make sure the assigned schedule and court management are continuing to positively serve the community. We welcome your feedback at dprengage@durhamnc.gov and will follow up in the near future with a formal feedback survey.