South Lebanon Twp. unveils pickleball, tennis courts at South Hills Park

A crowd gathered Thursday morning, June 19, in South Hills Park to celebrate a ribbon-cutting for newly completed pickleball and tennis courts by the east entrance of the park.

The old tennis courts, South Lebanon Township manager Jamie Yiengst explained, were at least 50 years old and quite worn, and the township had been looking to redo them for several years.

In 2024, legislators awarded the township a Local Share Account grant of $227,000 to proceed with the project, including two sets of tennis courts and six pickleball courts.

“South Lebanon Township is very proud of this entire park,” Yiengst said, noting the park includes walking paths, playground equipment, a disc golf course, and more. “South Hills is a gem and we’re lucky to have it here in this community.”

Yiengst thanked the township’s road crew and public works director, who helped prepare the site for contractors and plant new grass nearby (which Yiengst noted has been well-watered by recent rain).

All South Lebanon supervisors were in attendance Thursday, as well as state Rep. John Schlegel.

Supervisor Steve Krause said the idea for pickleball courts had been in consideration since before Yiengst’s time as township manager, though the township only recently received funding to make it reality. He thanked Yiengst for her work securing the grant funding.

Within seconds of the ribbon-cutting, pickleball players filled the courts, happy to have a new place to play.

Cookie Haag explained that previously, her group relied on the indoor courts at the YMCA, which she said they appreciated but provided limited space with only three courts.

“We’re just very thankful, the whole pickleball community is very thankful for this,” Haag said before trying out the new courts.

For those interested in getting involved with the local pickleball scene, Haag said the group has a Team Reach account under the name South Hills 25, where they post playing schedules.

Pickleball, which combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis, is considered the fastest-growing sport in the United States.

Multiple municipalities have heard requests for pickleball courts, with Coleman Memorial Park in the City of Lebanon also unveiling new pickleball courts June 24.