Dalton Parks and Recreation Department dedicates new 15-court pickleball complex

Mayor Annalee Sams (center) cuts the ribbon to officially dedicate the new pickleball facility at James Brown Park

The Dalton Parks and Recreation Department (DPRD) has dedicated a new 15-court pickleball complex at James Brown Park.

They say they have been working for several years to increase its pickleball capacity. The tennis courts at Brookwood Park were converted for pickleball play in 2020 and the DPRD also set up courts at the Lakeshore Park Tennis Complex for use for both tennis and pickleball. However, those facilities and various private courts weren’t enough to serve the needs of Dalton’s pickleball community.

Pickleball enthusiasts approached the Dalton City Council in 2023 asking for more facilities for the sport, kicking off development of the James Brown Park complex.

“I don’t know who’s more excited. The pickleball community or (Dalton’s) orthopedic surgeons and physical therapists,” joked Mitchell Boggs, chairman of the Dalton Recreation Commission. “There was obviously a huge desire from the pickleball community to have this facility. There was an obvious need, and I think it’s going to serve this community very well.”

The new facility includes shade structures for player benches and spectators as well as a concession stand.

In all, the facility has 15 courts including three courts that are covered by an open air roof.

The facility stands at the southeast corner of James Brown Park, near the intersection of Mitchell Street and Avenue C.

The new facility is open for play daily from 6:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.