Pasco Approves First-Ever Pickleball-Only Courts at Wesley Chapel District Park

WESLEY CHAPEL / PASCO COUNTY, FL — Pickleball players who've been fighting for time on shared tennis courts are getting a space of their own. Pasco County has approved $700,000 for nine lighted, pickleball-only courts at the north end of Wesley Chapel District Park — the county park system's first facility built exclusively for the sport.

What's Planned

The courts will be arranged in three groups of three, located northwest of the park's existing tennis courts. Each pod will include shade structures and some bleacher seating, with dividers separating the groups, plus dedicated parking for players. Construction is expected to start in December, with the courts targeted to open by early summer 2027.

Why the Upgrade Was Needed

Wesley Chapel District Park's current pickleball setup relies on portable nets and shared tennis courts, a stopgap that's become increasingly crowded as the sport's popularity has surged locally and nationally. A standalone, purpose-built facility gives dedicated players room to play without competing with tennis for court time.

Why It Matters for Wesley Chapel

As one of the fastest-growing pastimes in the country, pickleball has outgrown a lot of shared-court setups like the one Wesley Chapel has relied on. A dedicated facility signals the county is taking that growth seriously — and gives local players, from casual weekend games to more competitive players, a real home court by next summer.

📍 Wesley Chapel District Park — 7727 Boyette Rd., Wesley Chapel, FL

📅 Approved by Pasco County; construction expected to start December 2026, opening targeted for early summer 2027

🌐 Reporting from the Wesley Chapel Community Website