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The world of dinks and drives is expanding in New York City, as CityPickle has unveiled plans to open a 60,000-square-foot pickleball hub in Dumbo's Anchorage Plaza beneath the Brooklyn Bridge.
The new sports-and-recreation site in Brooklyn will continue the brand's commitment to spreading the gospel of pickleball in NYC—CityPickle already operates indoor courts in Long Island City and outdoor courts at Central Park's Wollman Rink, with another site set to open at Hudson Yards on June 1. (CityPickle's outposts at Industry City, Atlantic Terminal and Union Square Park are currently closed for the season.)
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The area spanning the Old Fulton Street Yard, Washington Old Street Yard and Ash Alley will be transformed into "CityPickle Brooklyn Bridge," with 11 pickleball courts for dedicated dinkers, as food trucks, shade structures, bike racks, comfortable seating, games including chess, green space with planters aplenty and room for community programming, reports 6sqft.
CityPickle's proposal to revitalize the underused space was chosen by NYC Department of Parks last June for a three-year contract. It's reportedly the first time in more than 15 years that the plaza will be open to the public, with the pickleball hub set to operate from March through November of each year.
“By transforming this fenced-off lot into a dynamic public plaza, we’re giving New Yorkers and visitors a safe and accessible place to work up a sweat and take in the fresh air, here in scenic Dumbo,” said NYC Parks First Deputy Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa, per 6sqft. “Whether you’re heading to the pickleball courts for a workout, lounging in the shade by the iconic Brooklyn Bridge, or enjoying refreshments from world-class food trucks, the revitalized Anchorage Plaza will have something for everyone.”
An opening date is still yet to be announced, as permits still need to be finalized and construction completed. We're also waiting to hear on hours of operation and gameplay rates for CityPickle Brooklyn Bridge, but if the new site is similar to its sibling locations throughout NYC, you can expect to be able to rent a pickleball court of an hour's worth of play for between $80 and $120 per session. In the meantime, you can check out renderings of the space below:
