New courts aim to expand recreation access in west Louisville
The city unveiled a new multi-court pickleball complex Wednesday at Shawnee Park, converting existing tennis facilities in a project that cost nearly $200,000. City officials said the upgrade — which added one resurfaced tennis court and four pickleball courts — is the first of its kind in west Louisville and is intended to broaden outdoor recreation options for residents.
The project is part of Louisville Metro’s broader effort to invest in parks and neighborhood amenities. The approved city budget includes $4.4 million for park maintenance, officials said.
“We’re expanding access to a sport that’s bringing people together outside in our community,” Mayor Craig Greenberg said during the ribbon-cutting.
Shawnee Park, one of the city’s oldest and busiest green spaces, was originally designed around 1900 and sits along the Ohio River. The new courts arrive as pickleball’s popularity continues to grow nationwide, and city leaders framed the installation as a way to meet demand while activating existing park space.
What the project delivered
- Conversion of existing tennis courts into a multi-use complex
- One resurfaced tennis court and four designated pickleball courts
- Project cost: nearly $200,000, funded through city resources
Officials noted the Shawnee Park upgrade is one element of ongoing park work across Louisville. The larger maintenance allocation in the budget aims to address a range of needs from playground repairs to green-space upkeep.
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Shawnee Park court project | ~$200,000 |
| Citywide park maintenance (budget) | $4.4 million |
Local impact and next steps
For west Louisville residents, the complex provides a concentrated grouping of courts that organizers say will support both casual play and organized programs. City leaders and park advocates have pushed to make recreational facilities more accessible across neighborhoods, especially in long-established parks such as Shawnee.
Officials have not released a timetable for additional pickleball conversions in other parks, but the Shawnee project will likely inform future decisions about balancing tennis and pickleball needs across the system. As demand for outdoor, low-cost sports continues, Louisville’s investment signals a citywide interest in adapting existing assets to serve changing recreational trends.
