Columbus has caught the pickleball bug, and it’s not slowing down anytime soon. The city is swinging into summer with four brand-new outdoor pickleball courts at Anheuser-Busch Sports Park, officially opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 10.
Tucked away off Olentangy River Road on the city’s northwest side, the new courts come complete with lighting (yes, you can play until 11 p.m.), shaded pavilions for post-game cool downs, and ADA-accessible design. Translation: more dinks and volleys for everyone.
“We’re committed to investing in neighborhoods and creating vibrant, connected communities,” said Mayor Andrew Ginther. “These new pickleball courts at Busch Park are part of that investment—providing free, accessible spaces where residents can come together, stay active and enjoy their city.”
Pickleball has become the fastest-growing sport in the country.
These are only the second set of dedicated outdoor courts in the city, following Warner Woods Park. More are on the way at Krumm and McCoy Parks.
Funded through an $850,000 slice of the city’s Capital Budget pie, the project is part of the larger Community Sports Park initiative, which aims to boost quality sports facilities throughout Columbus. In other words, this isn’t just about paddles and plastic balls. It’s about investing in community health, social connection and a little friendly competition.
“Pickleball is a growing sport for people of all ages, and we’re proud to create more opportunities for residents to play, connect and thrive,” said Bernita Reese, director of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.
The courts are nestled alongside the park’s eight regulation ball diamonds and athletic fields, so if you’re looking to turn a casual rally into a full-on summer sports day, Busch Park is the place.
With help from partners like Strawser Paving and EMH&T, and guidance from the city’s Community Sports Park feasibility study, the courts reflect both community input and growing demand.
The courts officially open on Thursday morning. Anheuser-Busch Sports Park is located at 4990 Olentangy River Rd, Columbus, OH 43214. To learn more about the park, head over to columbusrecparks.com.
