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Simsbury opens six new pickleball courts at Tariffville Park, names Court 1 for local advocates
Summary
The town has opened six pickleball courts at Tariffville Park that town officials say are being heavily used; additional park improvements remain contingent on floodplain mapping and funding.
Tom Taberski, the town’s culture, parks and recreation director, said Simsbury opened six new pickleball courts at Tariffville Park about two to three weeks ago and held a ribbon-cutting planned for 10 a.m. in mid‑July.
The courts, located near the softball field along the Farmington River, include a picnic pavilion and will be named in part to honor local volunteers. "Phil and Charlotte Kushan are the people who brought pickleball to Simsbury and kind of started organizing the groups in town," Taberski said, noting a sign marking Court 1 as Kushan Court.
Why it matters: pickleball has grown rapidly in the region and the town says the new courts respond to resident demand while drawing players — and customers — through the center of town.
Taberski said the new courts are already busy. "They are used constantly," he said, adding that in busy morning hours multiple groups often wait for courts. The town posts rules on the court walls and allows online reservations up to two weeks in advance at simsburyrec.com; the posted fee is $6 per hour.
The project faced limits because parts of Tariffville Park are inside the river floodway. Taberski said that restriction prevented building the original long‑lasting concrete layout originally envisioned when American Rescue Plan funds were first set aside for pickleball. Town officials expect to seek floodplain mapping approvals before advancing additional work, including replacing the pavilion, adding a small playground and expanding parking.
Funding and next steps: Taberski said the board had already approved funding for some park improvements and that further work will proceed as mapping and approvals are completed. A public ribbon‑cutting ceremony in mid‑July will recognize volunteers and supporters who helped bring the courts online.
Community note: the director encouraged residents to check the parks website for reservation details and the town calendar for the ribbon-cutting time and any weather-related updates.
