On your vacation, you probably want to relax and unwind, but it may also be nice to consider getting active and trying something new. You might want to bike around the area and enjoy the weather, explore one of the local nature preserves, or walk around town and see what you can find. But when you’re in Naples, Florida, there’s one unique activity you can get involved in: pickleball! Never played pickleball before? Do not worry. We’re here to explain what pickleball is and where you can play pickleball in Naples, FL. While you’re staying in our Naples vacation rentals, be sure to check out this fun sport!
What is Pickleball?
First things first: what is pickleball? There’s no one better equipped to answer that question than the USA Pickleball organization. They note that pickleball “combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong” and makes a great indoors and outdoor activity. You can play singles or doubles, as you would in tennis, but doubles are most common.
The court used for pickleball is the same size as a doubles badminton court. To play, you’ll need pickleball paddles and a specific ball with holes. The game is played primarily the same as tennis; one team serves the ball, and the other team must let the ball bounce once before returning the serve. Play continues until one side scores 11 points and is ahead by two points or more. The game is relatively quick to learn but can be challenging for players of all ages, making it a great activity to share with your family.
Fleischmann Park
First on our list of pickleball courts in Naples is Fleischmann Park. Here, you’ll find six newly lined pickleball courts, so there should be room for you to play even on the busiest of days. If you don’t have your own equipment, no worries; the park can provide equipment for your use during your time there. On top of that, pickleball lessons are available! If you’re new to the sport or want to brush up on your skills, you can do it right here at Fleischmann Park.
Fleischmann Park also offers plenty of other activities in addition to pickleball. Come out to enjoy the skatepark, different courts for activities like football and volleyball, a toddler playground for the little ones, a school-age playground for older kids, picnic pavilions, restrooms, and more. You can also find recreation classes in the Community Center; options include martial arts, gymnastics, dance, and more.
Fleischmann Park is open all year round and is located at 1600 Fleischmann Park. Guests are welcome to play pickleball for a $5 drop-in fee or a $25 yearly membership.
East Naples Community Park
Head to the east side of town to enjoy the East Naples Community Park. This destination has a whopping 63 pickleball courts for you to take advantage of! But why so many courts, you may ask? The East Naples Community Park is home to the US Open Pickleball Championships! That’s right; you can come out to cheer on the pros or pick up the game for yourself while you’re in town. You’ll also find the Pickleball Pro Shop of Collier County here on the premises.
In addition to pickleball, the East Naples Community Park offers tons of activities for kids and adults alike. Amenities include basketball and racquetball courts, a lighted playground, a senior center, a picnic area and pavilion, and more.
The East Naples Community Park can be found at 3500 Thomasson Drive. Drop-in players are welcome for a $5 fee, or you can pay $50 for a yearly membership if you plan to be in town often. The park is open every day of the week from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Naples Pickleball Center
Formerly known as the Pickleball Academy of Southwest Florida, the Naples Pickleball Center promotes itself as the “pickleball capital of the world!” Here, you can experience pickleball however you please, whether you want to get involved in a clinic, take a lesson, watch a competition, or enjoy a leisurely game with a friend.
If you’re brand-new to the sport of pickleball, you might enjoy the Beginner Clinic. This course will teach you the scoring system, basic rules, paddle grip techniques, hitting methods, and more. If you’re in town for a while, consider the Beginner or Advanced Beginner 4-Week Series. The center also offers plenty of clinic and practice sessions for those considered intermediate or advanced.
You can find the Naples Pickleball Center located at 3500 Thomasson Drive. Drop-in guests can pay $5 to play Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 12 noon and 5 to 8 p.m. Additionally, it’s free to play on the weekends and Monday through Friday from 12 noon to 5 p.m. Yearly memberships are available for $50.
Veterans Community Park
Another great spot to find Naples pickleball courts is Veterans Community Park. Here, they maintain 14 permanent courts as well as 8 temporary courts. Both lit and unlit courts allow players to enjoy the sport even when the sun goes down!
In addition to pickleball, Veterans Community Park has tons of other amenities to utilize. After all, this is one of the busiest parks in the county! Guests can also enjoy a picnic area, playground, a multi-purpose rink, the Rover Run Dog Park, and courts for softball, baseball, bocce ball, tennis, and more.
Veterans Community Park can be found at 1895 Veterans Park Drive. They are open for play Monday through Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 12 noon. Drop-ins can play for just $5.
Greater Naples YMCA
If you’d like to try your hand at indoor pickleball, you can head to the Greater Naples YMCA. They’ve got four indoor pickleball courts for guests to use, and players of all skill levels are welcome. Beginners and intermediate players can enjoy open play Mondays and Wednesdays from 1 to 3 p.m.; the intermediate and advanced open play takes place Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 noon to 3 p.m.
If you want to come here to play pickleball, keep in mind that you need a reservation. You can book your spot online, through the YMCA Mobile app, or by calling the YMCA.
The Greater Naples YMCA is located at 5450 YMCA Road. As with the other courts on this list, players can drop in for a $5 fee.
After you’ve had a fun afternoon of pickleball with your family, head back to your Naples vacation rentals to freshen up and get ready for the evening. We’re proud to offer a wide range of Naples condo rentals to suit groups of all sizes, whether you’ve got two people or 10. Our rentals come standard with amenities like full kitchens, large flat-screen TVs, beautiful views of the area, and more. On top of the prime location and the luxurious features, you’ll also enjoy the service of your dedicated staff, ready to serve you at a moment’s notice.
Ready to plan your next trip to Naples? Contact us today to learn more about our Naples rentals with pools or any of our other properties!
