OLD BRIDGE – Old Bridge Mayor Owen Henry signaled the opening of the township’s new pickleball courts with a demonstration of the sport led by United States of America Pickleball Association (USAPA) Ambassadors Sadie Reilly, Kim Smith and Oscar Diaz.
Director of Parks, Recreation & Social Services Matt Mercurio proceeded over the event, and Council Members Mary Sohor, Anita Greenberg Belli and Debbie Walker were on-hand as well on May 23.
Pickleball is a paddle sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis, and one of the fastest growing sports in the country. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffleball, over a net. Pickleball was invented in the mid-1960s as a children’s backyard game, according to information provided by the township.
The courts were recently created by lining the existing municipal tennis courts located at 1 Old Bridge Plaza for pickleball use.
“My administration has been a big proponent of providing opportunities for health and fitness activities,” Mayor Henry said in the statement, “and this is a great example of us being responsive to a request from the community which will allow residents to enjoy this popular new sport right in their own backyard.”
The courts will be available and open to the public from sun-up to 10 p.m. on a first come/first serve basis.
Call the Department of Parks, Recreation and Social Services at 732-721-5600, ext. 4999 for additional information about pickleball.
For more information, visit www.oldbridge.com.
