Pickleball in Chippewa County
For a fun, fast, and invigorating time, try the sport taking the world by storm—pickleball. Chippewa County is not immune to pickleball’s sudden rise in popularity, with many new courts being built in the last year to account for the growing demand of places to play. With new people picking up a paddle every day, now is the perfect time to get involved and join the massive community cultivated in the county, especially considering the PPA tournament coming to Lake Hallie this month (more on that later)! Let’s take a look at some of the fascinating history of this newly-developed sport, and then show you all the great places around the county to give it a try yourself.
Places to Play Pickleball
Lake Hallie Pickleball @ Gower Park
With 18 newly built or resurfaced courts, Gower Park is the largest pickleball park in Chippewa County and one of the largest in the Midwest. With newly added lights, permanent bathrooms and competitive play, this is the perfect place to meet new people and play since it is almost always busy with players of all skill levels looking to get a game in. Its short distance from the Eggbreak Cafe means you can always grab a delicious breakfast or lunch to refuel after some intense matches. If you forgot to pack your socks, head over to Blain’s Farm & Fleet.
Marshall Park – Chippewa Falls
Marshall Park near downtown Chippewa Falls has 6 recently added asphalt courts, with lights, restrooms, and water to ensure you are comfortable whenever you play. It is right next to Irvine Park & Zoo, giving you the perfect opportunity to go for a scenic walk or visit animals while you’re in the area. To cool down after a long day of pickleball action, you can also visit the nearby Leinie Lodge to grab a drink.
Lafayette Pickleball Courts – Lafayette
Next to the Lafayette Town Hall lies these 5 courts for more pickleball fun. While 3 of the courts have permanent nets, 2 nets are portable to clear a path for the basketball hoops stationed in the area, giving you options for more sports fun while you’re there. You can grab a meal at the nearby Wissota Lodge or The View to eat while looking over the beautiful Lake Wissota, or swim in the water yourself at Ray’s Beach.
Buchanan Park – Chippewa Falls
Buchanan Park is the perfect place for pickleball beginners since it has equipment available for use. It has 6 hard courts, as well as nearby basketball hoops to make this area a great recreational stop. Be sure to visit Market on River for a wide-choice of lunch options or Josef’s Cheesecake for some delicious baked goods!
The Growth of Pickleball
Believe it or not, pickleball was invented by a sitting government official! Washington Congressman Joel Pritchard and his friends Bill Bell and Barney McCallum invented the sport in 1965 when they were unable to find enough rackets to play a game of badminton. Instead, they found ping pong paddles and a plastic ball to use on the court. After playing for a little bit, they decided to lower the net and play the ball off the bounce, incorporating more ping pong rules into what originally started as a badminton game. They continued to develop the rules and regulations for the game, and in 1972, a corporation was formed to protect the new sport. Over time, pickleball appeared in multiple magazines and gained interest, eventually being played in all 50 states by 1990.
Pritchard’s wife, Joan, compared this blend of sports to “pickle boat” races in rowing, where regular teams mixed up players to compete in just-for-fun competitions. Thus, the name pickleball was born.
As of 2024, pickleball has over 19.8 million players in the United States and has been named the fastest-growing sport in America for the past four years, with no signs of it stopping anytime soon. What started as a way to pass time without proper badminton equipment has turned into an incredible sport that should continue to find success for many years to come.
