Good Neighbors Pickleball Information/Frequently Asked Questions:

 

Where can I play pickleball? 

There are pickleball courts in the following locations in Brooklyn.  For any indoor court, check the applicable website to confirm the hours that the court is available since it may change:

• JJ Carty/Fort Hamilton- outdoors. Ft Hamilton Pkwy & 100th St, 11209. Free. 

• Leif Ericson -outdoors.  8th avenue at 67th St, Brooklyn, NY 11220. Free. 

• Park Slope Armory Y (Y members only) -indoors. Check the Y website to find out when the pickleball court is open since it changes. 

• Dodge Y  (Atlantic Ave) (Y members only) -indoors open during these hours: 9-1045 Tu, 9:15 to 10:15 Wed, 8:15-10:15 Thursday. Check Dodge Y  website for updates.

• PKLYN Indoor courts, pay to play.  80 4th Street, Brooklyn, NY.  Currently they have open play for ages 55 and over on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12-2, many group lessons, and social open play by specific levels. They also offer private lessons. Check the website for the offerings and sign up before you go.https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/11868/BDGG645Z9B11868. 

• Old Stone House/JJ Byrne. One outdoor court next to the Old Stone House (asphalt surface). Free. 

• St. John's Recreation Center -indoors open 11:30 to 2:30 M to F. 1251 Prospect Pl, Brooklyn, NY 11213. Free for Recreation Center members. 

• Marine Park- outdoors, several courts and parking.  1925 E 32nd St, Brooklyn, NY 11234. Free. 

• Brooklyn Bridge Park. outdoors 150 Furman St, Brooklyn, NY 11201. Free. 

• Sunset Park Recreation Center- indoors  (currently  under renovation and closed; scheduled to reopen later in 2025) 4200 7th Ave, Brooklyn, NY.  Free for Recreation Center Members. 

 

What about the Recreation Centers?  In order to play indoors at a City Recreation Center (St. John’s, Sunset Park when it reopens or one the one indoor, non-standard JJ Carty/Fort Hamilton), you need to join the Recreation Center.  For a senior, it is $25 per year to join.  The Fort Hamilton outdoor courts are open to the public and you don't need a Recreation Center Membership.   Best way to join is to go to the Recreation Center in person and join there. https://www.nycgovparks.org/programs/recreation-centers/membership#:~:text=How%20to%20Join%20Our%20Recreation,a%20person%20with%20a%20disability.

  

Where can I take group lessons? 

 

Outdoor Lessons. Twice a year, the NYC Parks Department offers free free lessons–starting in April and September.  Look for an email from GNPS with the sign up information.  During the past two years, the lessons have been offered two times per week at JJ Carty/Fort Hamilton and Leif Ericson courts.  The lessons are free and are at beginner and advanced beginner lessons.   They are a good way to meet other players if you are just beginning pickleball. 

 

Indoor Lessons. PKLYN offers paid group lessons (and private lessons)   at various times for beginners to advanced, clinics, leagues and open play.  Lessons are offered several times per week.  80 4th Street, Brooklyn, NY.  Check the website and sign up before you go.https://app.courtreserve.com/Online/Events/List/11868/BDGG645Z9B11868. 

 

 

Where can I play in a league?  Fort Hamilton has a ladder league for age 60 and over  in the Spring and the Fall. (They have other leagues for all ages). Join the Fort Hamilton TeamReach (code FHP) for more information. In order to play in this league, you should register (free) with Global Pickleball Network.   Information about the Spring league will be provided in late March and information about the Fall league will be provided in late August. 

 

PKLYN in Gowanus also offers leagues for a fee–these are for all ages, not specifically for seniors.  Check their website for details about the leagues and open play.  

 

How do I find people to play with?: 

 

Take a clinic/ group lesson and you will find people of your level.  The clinics are offered by the city for free in the Fall and Spring. PKLYN also offers clinics for various levels.  Check their website for times and register before you go. 

 

 

PKLYN offers paid open play for various levels at various times. Currently they have an open play on Tuesdays  and Thursdays at 12-2 for ages 55 and over.  They also have many other sessions of open play, grouped by levels.  Check the website for updates and sign up before you go. 

Go to an outdoor  court and join a pick up game at your level.   

Play at the Armory Y or Dodge Y if you are a member.  

Use TeamReach to arrange to meet with people at a certain court.   

  

There is also an active  WhatsApp chat for the single court by JJ Byrne. It is used by people of all ages and levels.    Download the WhatsApp app on your phone  and search for the Pickleball ParkSlope group.   If you cannot find it, email Rosemarycspano@gmail.com  with your cell number and I will send you an invitation. 

 

How do I use Team Reach?:

 

First, download the TeamReach app. Then join the group you want to join using the code for that group.

The code for the GNPS Team Reach is stayactive.   However,  it is not actively used. 

 

 

There are other TeamReach groups for various courts in Brooklyn that are actively used.   Join the group you wish to join by using this code on the TeamReach app:

• Armory Y Pickleballers - group code:  ParkSlope

• John J Carty Park - Fort Hamilton Picklers -  group code: FHP

• Leif Ericson Park name is  Friendly Pickleball - group code: Ontheline

• Pier 2 Bklyn Heights - group code: 11201

• Sunset Park Pickleballers - group code: 11232 ( court is under renovation until 2025). 

• Marine Park -  group code: MPPBA

 

You don’t need to pre-arrange a group of 4 to play pickleball, in contrast to how it works with tennis.   Pickleball has many pick up games: You can just go to a court, and watch the games to see who is at or close to your level.  Once you find a group you would like to play with,  put your paddle down on the side to indicate you want to join when the next game starts.   There will be other paddles down.  People are pretty friendly but of course it is a competitive game and people usually  prefer to play with others at or close to their level.  

If you have other questions, please email rosemarycspano@gmail.com. 

(last update 3/26/2025)"