Shawnee, Oklahoma, August 16, 2023 – The City of Shawnee’s new pickleball courts at the KidSpace Park will be temporarily closed. The fence surrounding the pickleball courts does not provide sufficient space for players and, in order to prevent potential injuries to park visitors, the courts will be closed until the City’s contractor completes necessary modifications.

City staff reports that the fencing concern is not a construction issue but a design error. Remedial action is already underway for the affected out-of-bounds area of the pickleball courts. The company who designed the park has submitted the re-design which moves the fence and adds perimeter concrete; and the contractor stands ready to proceed, while the final completion date is being determined. Ultimately, the cost of the re-design and additional construction will not be borne by Shawnee taxpayers.

Pickleball was invented in 1965 and combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong. It is played with paddles and a perforated plastic ball. Pickleball is popular among all age groups due to its ease of learning and relatively low physical demand. Its rules and court dimensions make it accessible to players of varying skill levels. Pickleball is inherently social, as it is usually played in doubles format. The game encourages family members to interact, strategize, and have fun together.

“Pickleball is a much-loved community activity, and the KidSpace Park courts have seen tremendous use. After noticing the fencing issue, the City of Shawnee closed the courts out of an abundance of caution,” said Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer, Shawnee City Manager. “The City’s contracted design and construction firms understand that our community would like to see their pickleball courts re-opened as soon as possible, and they are expeditiously working on the permanent fix.”

As soon as the construction schedule has been solidified, the City of Shawnee will share those dates with the public. For questions or additional information, please contact Andrea Weckmueller-Behringer, City Manager at 405-878-1601 or citymanager@shawneeok.org.