Pickleball players press Troy parks for courts, lights and amenities as participation grows

Paul Hinkleman, representing the Miami County Pickleball Association, told the City of Troy Board of Park Commissioners on Oct. 7 that membership and daily use have surged and outlined a multi-year wish list of improvements to support continued growth.

The request matters because Hinkleman said the association now counts roughly 380–400 active players and that daily peak usage during summer months often exceeds 100 people, increasing pressure on existing courts and amenities.

"This year was a banner year of numbers of people, especially in the evening," Hinkleman said. He urged the board to delay additional fall work on the courts and focus on spring repairs when surfaces will recover more easily, and he asked the city to consider installing items the group views as high priority: paddle racks, two new nets annually, windscreens, additional benches, shade structures, a porta-potty closer to the courts, electric outlets, replacement windscreens with Troy-branded colors, and, ultimately, lights.

Hinkleman described the association’s structure and capacity to help fund some items: "We do not have a bank account. We are a subfunction of the Troy Foundation… We can do fundraising in the past. Some of the activities we put in for resurfacing, and I believe for lights, and the foundations, 1 of the strong feelings was, those are city functions." He said the group would consider fundraising for paddle racks or similar lower-cost items if a clear plan is agreed.

Commissioners and staff acknowledged a mix of responsibilities. A commissioner suggested modest fundraising could cover paddle racks, noting a rough estimate raised during the meeting: "You say you got 400 people approximately. Right. $5 a head that covers all of your paddle racks." Parks staff said some items — such as electrical infrastructure for lights and porta-potty service — are municipal responsibilities that require budgeting.

Hinkleman also urged against immediate fall harrowing and pole installation at the courts, saying the fall season is nearly over and spring work would be less damaging: "It would be better, fresher in the spring, in terms of damage and vandalism, not putting up poles." He requested that the parks department share the results of the master-plan focus groups and the city’s final decisions once available.

No motions or votes occurred on the requests; the meeting record shows this was public comment and budget input for future consideration. Commissioners encouraged the association to explore fundraising and grant applications for some items and said they will consider needs in the 2026 budget planning process.