by Robert Borges on March 9, 2023
Part tennis, part badminton, with a little Ping-Pong thrown in for good measure, pickleball is a sport that has become exponentially popular over the past several years. In fact, it was named the fastest-growing sport in America for the second year in a row, with nearly 5 million people picking up a paddle and taking to the pickleball courts today. That’s a 39.3% growth over the past two years, according to Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s annual Topline Participation Report.
From a community development standpoint, pickleball has become an essential amenity to draw active adult homebuyers. So it’s no surprise that PrivateCommunities.com (PCR) features nearly 150 communities with pickleball.
With the recent release of PCR’s Most Popular Communities of 2023 list, we thought we would take a deeper dive and spotlight some of those communities that include pickleball courts and facilities for their residents. Keep reading to learn more about several of 2023’s top communities with pickleball.
Cumberland Harbour- St. Mary’s, GA
Encompasses a 1,100-acre maritime peninsula surrounded by the St. Marys River, The North River, and the Intracoastal Waterway, this Georgia community is a boaters paradise with an array of amenities that promote an active lifestyle. Pickleball lovers get plenty of action on two new courts located in the onsite amenities center, along with six Har-Tru tennis courts. The Springhouse is the social center of the community, offering an open-air bar and gathering space for clubs, events, and activities anchored by an aquatics center with three swimming pools, fitness center, walking and biking trails, canoe and kayak waterways, and more.
K. Hovnanian's® Four Seasons at Carolina Oaks- Bluffton, SC
Located in South Carolina’s scenic Lowcountry just 20 miles from the Hilton Head beaches, this active adult community for 55+ residents features top-grade pickleball courts in addition to a plethora of other world-class amenities. Designed specifically for South Carolina seniors looking to remain active and healthy, residents have access to an expansive clubhouse that offers yoga and Zumba at the fitness center, an arts and crafts room, billiards, ballroom, and resort-style swimming the pool. Other outdoor amenities include walking and biking paths, tennis courts, bocce ball, a dog park, community gardens, fire pits, and screened verandas.
Savannah Lakes Village- McCormick, SC
With six dedicated pickleball courts and a full-service tennis center, this top pickleball community is serious about its racquet sports. The four lighted clay tennis courts complement the pickleball facilities to offer residents everything from structured events to casual play. But that’s just the beginning. Wrapped around the massive 71,000-acre Lake Thurmond on the freshwater coast of South Carolina, this community's impressive list of amenities also includes two golf courses, a fitness and sports complex, and miles of hiking and biking trails.
Windward at Lakewood Ranch- Sarasota, FL
Set within Florida’s award-winning master-planned community of Lakewood Ranch, Windward gives residents access to hundreds of amenities, shops, and restaurants. Among those amenities are superb pickleball facilities, as well as tennis courts. The 10,000-square-foot clubhouse serves as a central hub within the Florida community with pickleball, and has an on-site activities director, well-equipped fitness center, and two outdoor swimming pools (one for adults and one for kids) with large sundecks. Best of all, the white sand beaches, golf courses, nightlife, arts, and cultural attractions of Sarasota are only a few minutes away.
This popular pickleball community boasts an award-winning 54,000-square foot facility with fitness, spa services, tennis, pickleball, aquatics, dining and a full complement of social activities, including wine tastings, theme parties, seminars, concerts, poolside parties, excursions and children’s activities. Considered one of southwest Florida’s best communities, it also features championship 18-hole, Par 72 Creek Course designed by Arthur Hills and has a density of 1.6 homes per gross acre. That means less than a third of the land will be developed, with the rest is dedicated to nature reserves, lakes, parks, and recreational areas.
