If you walk to the pickleball court, you will witness a lively mix of retirees trading shots with teenagers, see parents high-fiving their kids, and hear the pop of paddles echoing through the air. Once an unusual backyard pastime, pickleball has transformed into a townwide sensation uniting people of all ages. What started as a favorite among retirees is now drawing in high school students and families. The town’s pickleball courts are alive with energy and competition, and as interest grows, Sharon is expanding its facilities to keep up with the demand.
Pickleball, with its simple rules and fast-paced gameplay, is quickly becoming one of the fastest-growing sports in the world. In 2024, pickleball had over 13.6 million players in the U.S., a huge increase from the year before. Played on a small court with paddles and a plastic ball, pickleball mixes elements of tennis, badminton, and ping-pong, making it fun and easy regardless of age or experience. As the sport continues to expand, Sharon has become a local pickleball hotspot.
Launch of the Pickleball Courts
Sharon’s commitment to growing its pickleball facilities took a major leap in 2022, when the town built several courts at Deborah Sampson Park. The park quickly became a hub for casual and competitive paddle-based action. On spring and summer evenings, it’s not uncommon to see all of the courts packed, with players rotating in, waiting on benches, or casually watching matches. Residents of all ages gather to play, compete, and connect.
As court use increased, so did the need for expanded facilities. In May of 2024, the Sharon Select Board approved a $1.7 million project to build new courts and upgrade the existing ones. Construction began in April 2025, with plans to add new post-tension concrete pickleball courts, revamped tennis and basketball courts, and improved walkways, landscaping, fencing, and drainage. The town projects construction to cease in August 2025.
The SHS Pickleball Club
The town’s pickleball culture has found a strong foothold in Sharon High School. In September 2024, at the forefront of a growing movement, sophomores Neil Dutta and Nathan Quilty Zielinski launched the SHS Pickleball Club. With over 120 student sign ups at the annual SHS Club Fair, the organization quickly became one of the school’s most popular amateur athletic groups.
The club meets on Fridays under advisor Zachary Snow. With additional support from sophomore captains Elijah Carmody and Rachel Needle, the club began to hold meetings in the fall of 2024 and steadily gained momentum. As the weather improves, Pickleball Club has been holding regular meetups and plans to run through the end of the school year.
The Pickleball Club aims to introduce students to the sport, teach the fundamentals of gameplay and etiquette, and create a welcoming environment for both beginners and experienced players. “We’re not saying we’re pros, but if pickleball ever hits the Olympics, Sharon’s got a squad,” said club member Benjamin Samuels.
This May, the club is planning its first official tournament, which will be open to all SHS students; it is also organizing a day of intergenerational play with seniors from the Sharon Council on Aging, blending fitness and fun across all ages. In the future, the club hopes to schedule friendly matches with other local schools.
The Competitive Scene
While casual games are a major draw, Sharon also has an active competitive pickleball community known as Pickleball Sharon. This local network organizes and promotes a wide range of events, from leagues to tournaments, throughout the year.
There are currently 23 organized leagues operating in Sharon, featuring ladder formats, round robins, and team competitions for all skill levels. These leagues provide structure for those looking to improve and compete regularly, often ranking players based on the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) system adapted for pickleball.
The town hosts multiple tournaments each year, including events that raise funds for charitable causes such as the Jimmy Fund. These events attract not just locals but also players from across the South Shore and even out of state.
The Deborah Sampson Courts: Where Community Comes to Play
On daily evenings and weekends, the pickleball courts at Deborah Sampson Park are full of energy. The sound of paddles hitting balls, laughter between games, and cheers after a point create a fun mix of competition and camaraderie, with experienced players helping newcomers and multi-generational groups playing together.
You’ll see retirees rallying with high schoolers, parents facing off against their teens, and neighbors from Foxborough, Mansfield, and Canton dropping in for some friendly matches. Some bring lawn chairs to relax and spectate; others bring coolers and music. It’s a lively, welcoming space that blurs generational lines, encourages physical fitness, and strengthens community bonds.
The combination of competition and inclusivity is why pickleball continues to grow in Sharon. Its easygoing vibe, simple rules, and overall fun have turned it into something bigger than just a passing trend.
Looking Ahead
As more courts are built, Sharon is ready to keep up with the growing interest in pickleball. The upgrades at Deborah Sampson will make room for more games, bigger leagues, and larger tournaments.
Beyond the courts, though, the town’s focus on pickleball is about more than just sports. It’s about community wellness, getting young people involved, and forming connections across generations. As more people of all ages pick up paddles, pickleball shows how a simple sport can bring a whole town together.
