Pickleball Fever: Fairfax County Opens Survey On Emerging Sport

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — If you've got pickleball fever, you're not alone in Fairfax County.

As the county sees numerous requests for pickleball facilities in parks, a feasibility study is underway at the Fairfax County Park Authority. The study will determine how the park authority can equitably address pickleball requests, identify sites for improvements to existing courts or parks for new facilities, and develop siting criteria and design guidance for site selection and feasibility analysis.

The study began in summer 2019 will be complete in spring 2021. According to the study timeline, research and stakeholder meetings happened in fall 2020. A public survey is open through Jan. 24 and will be followed by a public meeting and plan revision in the spring.

Work to create pickleball facilities has already been visible. The park authority has been renovating existing tennis and multiuse courts to allow multiple sports like pickleball. There are nearly 30 outdoor courts throughout the county that can accommodate pickleball. RECenters and community centers add pickleball court areas through striping of gyms.

Residents can find pickleball facilities using the park locator and turning on the "pickleball lined court" filter.