Pickleball
What Is It?
- A fun sport that combines many elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong.
- It can be played indoors or outdoors
- Played singles 1 vs 1 or doubles 2 vs 2
- Equipment includes a paddle and a hard plastic ball with holes
- Enjoyed by all ages!
Pickleball Programs – Summer 2024
This class is for those who’ve never played before or those needing a better understanding of the rules, scoring and overall play.
(MW)
Location: Briar Patch Park
Dates | Day | Time | Class |
---|---|---|---|
6/5-6/26 | W | 5-6:30P | Sign Up |
W | 6:40-8:10P | Sign Up | |
7/10-7/31 | W | 5-6:30P | Sign Up |
W | 6:40-8:10P | Sign Up | |
8/3-8/24 | Sa | 8-9:30A | Sign Up |
All leagues are for pickleball players who know who to play. You must have successfully taken a class or know the following: how to score, rotate, and the fundamentals of the game. League Marshall has the right to move players from one level to another as necessary by players’ ability. Please do no sign up for a session because it fits your schedule, visit wheatonparkdistrict.com/pickleball for information on player level. No class on 7/1, 7/2, or 7/4.
(MW)
Location: Central Park Pickleball Courts
Levels | Dates | Day | Time | Class |
---|---|---|---|---|
2.0/2.5 | 6/3-7/15 | M | 6-7:30P | Sign Up |
7/22-8/26 | M | 6-7:30P | Sign Up | |
3.0 | 6/3-7/15 | M | 7:45-9:15P | Sign Up |
6/4-7/16 | Tu | 6-7:30P | Sign Up | |
7/22-8/26 | M | 7:45-9:15P | Sign Up | |
7/23-8/27 | Tu | 6-7:30P | Sign Up | |
3.5 | 6/4-7/16 | Tu | 7:45-9:15P | Sign Up |
6/6-7/18 | Th | 6-7:30P | Sign Up | |
7/23-8/27 | Tu | 7:45-9:15P | Sign Up | |
7/25-8/29 | Th | 6-7:30P | Sign Up | |
4.0/4.5+ | 6/6-7/18 | Th | 7:45-9:15P | Sign Up |
7/25-8/29 | Th | 7:45-9:15P | Sign Up |
Want to improve your game? Skills and Drills classes are geared toward different aspects of the game. Pick and
choose which parts of the game you would like to improve and sign up. (MW)
Location: Briar Patch Park
Dates | Day | Time | Class | Class Topic |
---|---|---|---|---|
6/14 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Service & return of service |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up | ||
6/21 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Short Game — dinking, speedup/slow down the ball |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up | ||
6/28 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Drives & Blocks |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up | ||
7/26 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Volleying, Backhand/Forehand |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up | ||
8/2 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Lobs, Top Spin, & Slices |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up | ||
8/9 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Court Awareness, Court Placement, & Being a Good Partner |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up | ||
8/16 | F | 8-9:30A | Sign Up | Prepping for a Tournament |
F | 5:30-7P | Sign Up |
Court Locations
INDOOR
Central Athletic Complex
Address: 500 S Naperville Rd, Wheaton
Courts: 6 available courts
Community Center
Address: 1777 S. Blanchard St., Wheaton
Courts: 3 available courts
OUTDOOR
Atten Park
Address: 1720 S Wiesbrook Rd, Wheaton
Courts: 2 dedicated courts, 4 additionally lined pickleball courts on tennis courts (must bring own pickle ball net to play)
Availability: Dawn-Dusk; no lights at courts
Northside Park
Address: 1300 N West St, Wheaton
Courts: 2 tennis courts lined for pickleball (near entrance)
Availability: Dawn-Dusk; lights turn off at 10P
Central Park
Address: 600 S Main St, Wheaton
Courts: 6 dedicated courts
Availability: Dawn-10P*; lights turn off at 10P
*Available anytime when the park is open and the courts are not in use by Wheaton Park District classes or leagues. Please check outdoor signage for dates/times.
Photo Gallery
Meet the Staff
Theresa Lemmer
My passion for pickleball started a few years ago when a colleague suggested I join her in this weirdly named sport. And as most folks do, once they pick up a paddle and finally understand what 0-0-2 means, they become a pickleball addict!
I continued to play for a few years but needed an indoor location for the winter, so I approached Mount Prospect’s Park District. It turned out that they had tried to start a program but weren’t successful and they even tried hosting a tournament. MPPD was very receptive and we grew their program to a 6-day operation and we even had their first successful tournament the very first year!
Shortly thereafter, District 214’s adult education program in Arlington Heights was looking to replace their instructor who retired to the mecca of pickleball (Florida). I had new ideas and the administration embraced them.
I had been driving 20+ miles to play in other areas, so I thought it would be great to build a program here in my hometown of Wheaton. It started small, during the pandemic we had Sunday morning indoor play on five courts. Then in early 2021, we created beginner and beginner-intermediate classes for both adults and kids. Once the new outdoor courts were completed in July, we created league play at all levels. As far as I know, we are the ONLY park district in the area to have done so thus far.
I just love working with my supervisor Matthew Wrobel. He and the director are so supportive and they have allowed me to be creative with building and growing the program here in my hometown. There is a treasure trove of ideas in the works.
Just watch, soon Wheaton will become the local mecca of pickleball!
Matthew Wrobel
Athletic Manager
630.510.5131 (Office) | 630.346.5702 (cell)
[email protected]
Matthew Wrobel started from humble beginnings as an intern in the Athletic Department for the Wheaton Park District from January-May 2012. He stayed on after the internship finished and became a part-time employee for the Athletic Department.
Fast forward to 2014, where he became the Adult Education & Recreation Supervisor which continues to be his role today.
The first time Matthew heard of the sport named “pickleball” was in 2015. After playing a couple of games, he proceeded to add a drop-in program on Wednesday afternoons at the Wheaton Park District Community Center. From modest beginnings to present times, the Pickleball program has grown exponentially in Wheaton.