Get your game on: 14 best places to play pickleball in Metro Detroit
There’s no shortage of pickleball courts in Metro Detroit. These are the 14 best places to play.
Pickleball is the country’s fastest-growing sport, with more than 36 million players and 10,000 locations to play nationwide.
The recreational sport — a combination of tennis, ping-pong, and badminton — was invented in 1965. But it didn’t take off until the COVID-19 pandemic, when traditional team sports were off-limits and people were searching for a way to socialize and stay active. The pandemic might be over, but pickleball’s popularity continues to grow. Famous athletes like LeBron James and Tom Brady, as well as celebrities including Selena Gomez, Leonardo DiCaprio, and George Clooney, are picking up paddles and perfecting their dink shots.
Michiganders are particularly fond of the paddle sport, and according to the Michigan Pickleball Association, Michigan ranks among the top 10 most popular states for pickleball, boasting more than 40,000 players.
While you can find courts all across Michigan, from Grand Rapids to Boyne City and beyond, there’s a growing number of great places to play in and around Detroit. Keep reading to discover the best places in Metro Detroit for picklers to play.
1. Vreeland Park
12600 Parkway St., Riverview
The pickleball courts at Vreeland Park check all the boxes. The three outdoor courts feature a hard surface, permanent lines and nets, adequate lighting for nighttime play, and they’re free to use. The park, operated by the city of Riverview, has plenty of other amenities too, including a picnic and shelter area, a playground, and plenty of paths for walking or running.
2. Court4 Detroit
4300 Marseilles St., Detroit
If you’re looking for indoor pickleball courts, head to Court4 Detroit. This 40,000-square-foot climate-controlled dome houses 10 concrete courts with permanent lines, portable nets, and bright lighting. Court4 Detroit also offers pickleball leagues, mixers, tournaments, drills, and private lessons. Picklers who want to level up their game and be part of an active pickleball community will easily be able to do both at Court4 Detroit.
While the facilities at Court4 Detroit are impressive, they do come with a price tag and require a membership. View membership options and pricing here.
3. Bash Pickleball Club
6881 Chicago Rd., Warren
Bash Pickleball Club is another indoor pickleball complex with high-quality courts and tons of amenities. Bash has 10 professional-grade courts, which can be reserved ahead of time. The 30,000-square-foot club also offers coaching and frequently hosts events, including tournaments, mixers, and skills-based activities.
This pickleball paradise also features a player’s lounge where you can relax and refuel after a tough match, a pro shop with paddles, balls, and other gear and equipment for sale, locker rooms, and a party room you can reserve for events and celebrations.
While a membership isn’t required to play at Bash, members do get special discounts and other perks.
4. Wolverine Pickleball
235 Metty Dr., Ann Arbor
Wolverine Pickleball, located in Ann Arbor, is another facility that prioritizes pickleball. This 39,000-square-foot former warehouse has 12 indoor pickleball courts.
Wolverine Pickleball also hosts mixers, clinics, classes, and other special events. Its Outdoor Fun area features a lounge with covered seating, fire pits, and a self-serve tap wall, as well as dedicated spaces to play corn hole, bocce ball, and sand volleyball.
Wolverine Pickleball is a pay-to-play facility, so a membership isn’t required, but members do receive discounts and exclusive benefits. Pricing information can be viewed here.
5. UWM Sports Complex
867 S. Blvd. E., Pontiac
UWM Sports Complex, a massive, multi-purpose athletic facility in Pontiac, has more than a dozen indoor courts for pickleball players. The facility allows drop-in play Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon, as well as court reservations. Clinics and lessons are also available.
A membership isn’t required to play pickleball at UWM Sports Complex, but having one will get you discounts on drop-in play, league and special event fees, and more.
6. Palmer Park
910 Merrill Plaisance St., Detroit
Palmer Park, part of the City of Detroit parks system, is one of the area’s largest parks and a popular place to play pickleball. The scenic 281-acre park has six dedicated outdoor pickleball courts and three tennis courts with pickleball lines. The courts are free to use, and no reservations are required.
7. The Hawk
29995 W. 12 Mile Rd., Farmington Hills
With 10 outdoor courts, there’s plenty of space to play pickleball at The Hawk in Farmington Hills. The asphalt courts have recently been resurfaced and are open to the public any time they’re not being used by one of the park’s programs.
8. Brandenburg Park
50050 Jefferson Ave., New Baltimore
At Brandenburg Park, you can perfect your pickleball game while enjoying picturesque views of Lake St. Clair. This 17-acre park overlooks the lake and boasts three beautiful outdoor pickleball courts, as well as a hybrid tennis-pickleball court, all four of which were redesigned and resurfaced in 2021.
The courts are open from sunrise to sunset, and you can access them after paying a $5 park entry fee.
9. Drake Sports Park
6801 Drake Rd., West Bloomfield
Drake Sports Park in West Bloomfield has four outdoor pickleball courts with open play available daily. If you’re new to the sport, the park also hosts a variety of clinics, such as Intro to Pickleball and Beginner Drills & Practice. For experienced picklers looking to sharpen their skills, more advanced clinics, including Introduction to Game Strategy, are also available.
Drake Sports Park is open from 8 a.m. to dusk.
10. Borden Park
1400 E. Hamlin Rd., Rochester Hills
Borden Park, a 143-acre park and sports complex, is a picturesque place to play pickleball. There are eight first-come, first-serve outdoor pickleball courts that are open from 8 a.m. until dusk. The park also features tennis and basketball courts, soccer and softball/baseball fields, picnic tables, hiking trails, and more.
11. Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
15801 Michigan Ave., Dearborn
Ford Community & Performing Arts Center has indoor and outdoor pickleball courts. The outdoor season begins in June and ends in October. During the indoor season, two courts are available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This recreation center offers memberships, but non-members can also use the pickleball courts.
12. Clintonwood Park
6483 Waldon Center Dr. Clarkston
Pack a picnic and your pickleball gear and head to Clintonwood Park in Clarkston for a day of fun in the sun. This 120-acre park has four outdoor pickleball courts surrounded by green grass and mature trees. There are also two picnic pavilions where you can refuel after a game or two.
13. Bicentennial Park
36000 W. Seven Mile Rd, Livonia
Bicentennial Park is another Detroit-area park that caters to pickleball players. Located in Livonia, this park has six hard-surface outdoor courts with permanent lines and nets. The courts are free to use and don’t require a reservation. The park also hosts tournaments throughout the year.
14. Whittier Park
Farnum & Alexander, Royal Oak
At Whittier Park in Royal Oak, there are eight outdoor pickleball courts to play on. The concrete courts are free to use and feature permanent lines and nets. They’re accessible 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. from May to October.
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