On Friday, Oct. 9, The Yards officially reopened the newly renovated Pickle Garden, featuring brand-new covered pickleball courts.
When The Yards Pickle Garden originally opened in May of 2022, it was the area’s first dedicated pickleball facility.
In the last few years, pickleball has become extremely popular and Maria Nili, pickleball director at The Yards, said it’s because of how easy the game is to enjoy.
“With a little instruction, many beginners can start playing and having fun right away. Pickleball offers plenty of room to grow, and people of different ages and athletic backgrounds can share the court, connect and enjoy the game together,” said Nili.
Because of pickleball’s fast rise in popularity, The Yards decided it was time for an upgrade to their courts. Due to Florida’s unpredictable weather conditions, Nili along with The Yards owner Dave Miller decided covered courts were the way to go.
“We wanted to preserve the open-air feel loved by our members while giving players more protection from the elements,” said Nili.
Nili and Miller spent time visiting covered, open-air pickleball facilities across the country to explore different designs and technologies. The upgraded design at The Yards Pickle Garden allows them to offer more programming with fewer weather-related interruptions.
“From the beginning, our goal was to create the best possible conditions for players but also more than just a place to play; we wanted to build a welcoming community with great courts and programming,” said Nili.
There are a lot of exciting things going on at The Yards including the upcoming Turkey AM Tournament that will be held on Thanksgiving morning. The tournament will include a recreational social bracket for players who want to enjoy a fun morning on the courts, as well as a more competitive bracket for more serious players.
For more information on the tournament and other exciting events happening at The Yards, go to playtheyards.com.
