The courts were jam-packed. Retirees rally against kids–relatively speaking. Each court has paddles set to the side, a sign that means, “We got next,” to the Riverside Pickleball sports league.
Not even Sunday’s light drizzle kept players from smacking the ball with their paddles. The fastest-growing sport in the US has swept across the country, and Riverside Pickleball has created a space for an eclectic range of people to come together twice a week to battle on the court.
Crowds have been growing at Riverside Pickleball’s weekly meetups throughout its ten-year history, according to USA Pickleball Association Ambassador William Lizotte.
“It’s grown crazy like wildfire,” Lizotte said. “It is truly the fastest-growing sport in the United States.”
In a report released by USA Pickleball, the Places2Play Database added over 1,000 new locations in 2023.
Lizotte and Deputy Director Debi Bagley understand the need for courts specifically for pickleball. Riverside Pickleball started a campaign to get some built in the city.
Riverside Pickleball went back and forth with the Parks and Recreation Department to get the budget approved for the pickleball courts, according to Bagley. The budget for the courts was approved back in 2023, and groundbreaking took place last Wednesday.
Riverside’s Parks and Recreation Department recently broke ground on a new pickleball complex at Arlington Park that will include 9 courts, with two courts dedicated to tournament play.
“I always say [Parks and Recreation] might have just gotten tired of listening to us,” Lizotte said. “But persistence pays off.”
For Riverside Pickleball, getting people to attend its weekly meetings and creating a community comes naturally, while working with the city requires patience and persistence. The sports league provides paddles and balls for anyone in attendance.
They welcome people from all levels of experience, typically reserving courts for beginners. According to Bagley, many beginners return, improving their skills while having fun.
Lizotte and Bagley reserve the courts through the Parks and Recreation Department and continue to provide a space for the sport through donations. Most meetup days consist of more than 100 players enjoying the game.
JT Epino has been a constant since finding the group through the Meetup app. Going back and forth between San Diego and Corona, Epino wanted a place to get his reps in on the pickleball court. Riverside Pickleball has helped him stay active and socialize with people he usually doesn’t interact with.
“It's been kind of a constant in my life now,” Epino said. “[Riverside Pickleball] is a place where I can go if I'm feeling alone or down, or I need to be active, pickleball is always there for me.”
Riverside Pickleball has also become a constant in the life of Marcia Wood since retiring. She attended her first meet-up as a beginner. Since her first game, she’s been in attendance at every meet-up, unless she’s out of town.
“Being a senior, there’s not a whole lot that you can do as a group and socialize,” Wood said. “…Here we go out to lunch, we have gatherings, and I've made some really good friends, and that's what's important to me.”
The courts stayed busy throughout the morning. Epino and Wood both paused their respective interviews because it was their turn to play. Gameplay at the meet-ups is fun, competitive, and free of arrogance and toxicity.
Lizotte and Bagley will continue to provide an inclusive space for the city of Riverside to grow the sport of pickleball while making healthy choices. When asked what their long-term goal was for the community, Lizotte answered:
“The long-term goal?” Lizotte asked. “Try to live that long to see the new courts.”
For more information on Riverside Pickleball, follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
Anthony was born and raised in Pomona. After a decade in education, he now writes for Southern California News Group, LA Times, and LA Taco. He recently moved to Riverside with his wife Evelyn.
