ESCANABA, Mich. (WZMQ) – Escanaba’s Recreation Department is hoping to provide more playing space for America’s fastest-growing sport.
The Recreation Department has been working to secure funding for eight dedicated pickleball courts at Royce Park.
“Basically all of the tennis courts that the City of Escanaba has, we have multi-use for them for pickleball,” explained Recreation Director Kim Peterson. “We don’t have any dedicated pickleball courts. The groups come in large numbers, so that’s where the number of courts comes in. Last year, we applied for a $300,000 DNR Trust Fund grant with 25% matching funds through the City, but we did not get that grant.”
With the amount of available funding increased this year, the Recreation Department is now applying for a $400,000 Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund grant. The City of Escanaba would be responsible for a $100,000 contribution. The courts would be constructed on a portion of the park’s available greenspace. The project would also include the addition of a small, handicap-accessible parking lot.
“We have the shelter house where the restrooms are, we do have the lighting, the sound system, everything is already on this property,” said Peterson. “The baseball field, the playground, the multi-use courts, the basketball court, that will still remain. We’re just going to add the eight dedicated pickleball courts because there’s plenty of space.”
If awarded the funds, the Recreation Department will be notified in the fall. Agreements would be signed in the spring, and construction would begin in late 2025 or early 2026.
