New pickleball courts to open in Canal Winchester

CANAL WINCHESTER, Ohio (WCMH) – Visitors of a city park will soon be able to enjoy five new pickleball courts, which open to the public on Thursday.

Canal Winchester is holding a grand opening of its new McGill Park pickleball courts, located at 6725 Lithopolis-Winchester Road, Thursday at 5 p.m. The city invites residents to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony, followed by an inaugural game played by Mayor Joe Steager and Council President Will Bennett. 

The city began construction on the pickleball courts this year, and construction of the 84-acre park in 2021. The first section opened in July 2022, housing amenities such as soccer fields, a playground, walking trails and an open shelter house. 

“When planning for the park, we knew adding pickleball courts was a priority for our community,” Steager said in a news release. “Since starting construction, people have been asking when they will be ready or stopping at the park to check on construction. I expect them to get a lot of use.”

The city will hand out custom pickleballs to the first 100 guests at the courts; otherwise, visitors must provide their own equipment. The courts will be open daily from dawn until 10 p.m., with lighting available for playing in the evening. 

The courts are available on a first come, first serve basis. Rental opportunities for special events will be available later this year, the city said. Construction at McGill Park will continue with future phases adding multipurpose fields, a dog park and an event center.