Press Releases

The $28,000 project adds a new dedicated space for one of the fastest growing sports in NYC

On Friday, July 19th, NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Jackie Langsam joined Council Member Linda Lee to celebrate the completion of four brand new standalone pickleball courts for use in the athletic fields area of Alley Pond Park. The new courts occupy a space at the end of the Alley Pond Main path, joining the tennis and baseball fields in the area.

“Alley Pond Park is home to athletic fields, golf courses, hiking trails and playgrounds, and today we’re adding pickleball to the list of amenities which make this park so special,” said NYC Parks Queens Borough Commissioner Jacqueline Langsam. “The popularity of pickleball continues to grow in Queens, and NYC Parks is excited to meet enthusiasts at our many courts around Queens. In adding pickleball to the many options parkgoers have at Alley Pond Park, we’re offering another way for Queens residents to stay active and have fun with this new exciting sport.”

“Eastern Queens is known for its beautiful parks and green spaces, so I am proud to join NYC Parks in ensuring that our community’s facilities are maintained for all residents,” said Councilmember Linda Lee. “I know how much the community enjoys tennis and pickleball at our city’s parks so I look forward to seeing athletes young and old enjoying a state-of-the-art court all summer long. Thank you to NYC Parks and Commissioner Donoghue for your partnership.”

By creating new spaces for this popular pastime, this project furthers Parks’ goal of ensuring that local greenspaces provide exciting new options which serve their communities’ diverse needs best. These four new courts at Alley Pond also join the newly surfaced pickleball court at nearby Farm Playground, converted from a previously underused handball court. The new courts come on the heels of the new $26 million Alley Pond Environmental Center, which opened in 2023. Parks is also currently planning a pathway reconstruction project throughout the park that will increase accessibility within this beloved community greenspace.