Pickleball Comes to Medallion:
The Sport Everyone’s Talking About
Medallion Residents, Mike and Kim Piatak
What started as a backyard pastime has quickly become one of the fastest-growing sports in the
United States, and Medallion is preparing to lace up and join in. Pickleball, a paddle sport that
blends tennis, badminton and ping-pong, was first created in 1965 by a group of friends looking
to entertain their families. Pickleball has since become one of the country’s favorite ways to get
moving, embraced for being easy to learn, accessible for all ages, and just as social as it is
active.
Much of pickleball’s appeal comes from its social nature. Matches are typically played in
doubles, encouraging conversation and a sense of community that can be hard to find in more
solitary sports. Courts have become popular spaces for locals to meet and stay active while
forming friendships and building connections with the people around them.
Locally, public courts such as Hoff Woods Park and Center Green Park are frequently filled with
players of all skill levels, while newer spots like Smash Park have introduced a social spin on
the game by combining pickleball with dining, drinks, and other games in a lively,
community-oriented setting. Similarly, the opening of facilities like Match Point in Columbus, the
largest indoor pickleball complex in the world and host of the inaugural Arnold Pickleball
Invitational, reflects just how popular the sport has become in our community. Match Point also
offers table tennis, badminton and golf simulators, creating a versatile hub for recreation and
community.
Recognizing this growing enthusiasm, The Medallion Club has announced plans to bring
pickleball to the neighborhood in the near future, giving residents another way to stay active
close to home. For many communities, courts quickly become gathering places where players
can chat between matches and meet neighbors they might not otherwise encounter.
The Medallion Club is looking to break ground on new pickleball courts in the hopes of a grand
opening this summer!