Six new pickleball courts officially opened last week at John Folcik Park, welcoming new and experienced players.

Toby Ledesma, city parks and recreation director, said they were converted from tennis courts due to the growing local interest in pickleball.

“Its popularity continues to increase in Rossford and northwest Ohio,” he said.

The improvements at the park, at the corner of Beech and Maple streets, bring the city’s total pickleball courts to 12.

The cost for the courts was $64,659, Mr. Ledesma said, paid primarily by grants: $42,231 from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, $11,103 from the Wood County Park District and $10,000 from the Rossford Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Rossford resident Connie Mierzejewski, who is an ambassador for the U.S. American Pickleball Association, is pleased with the additions.

She is active in the Toledo Pickleball Club, which plays at a variety of courts around the Toledo area.

Last winter, they went indoors at the Rossford rec center, as pictured below.

“We will go indoors to the rec center probably in the beginning of November when the time changes–weather will also help dictate when,” she explained.

The club welcomes new members who are interested in learning the sport.

For more information, see the website toledopickleball.com or call the rec center at 419-666-2905.