Pickleball
This sport is a combination of tennis and ping pong, played on a badminton-sized court with a net close to the ground, where players use paddles and a small wiffle ball. Find out more at www.pickleball.com or www.usapa.org.
To view the USA Pickleball Official Rulebook, open the following link: USA Pickleball Official Rules
Pickleball is played at the Central Park Pickleball Courts, behind Tennis Courts 3 & 4 at the corner of South 13th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Six (6) lighted pickleball courts are available until 10:00pm daily. The gates at the courts are unlocked. Restrooms, a water fountain, and AED are nearby.
For information about the Fernandina Beach Pickleball Pirates, an advisory group that provides equipment during SCHEDULED PLAY (balls and loaner paddles) , follow Fernandina Beach Pickleball Pirates on Facebook. If you would like to be added to the group email list, send a request to fbpbpirates@gmail.com
Central Park Pickleball Courts General Guidelines:
- Courts are for pickleball use only.
- Chairs are not permitted on the courts.
- Skateboards, rollerblades, bicycles, and similar devices are prohibited on the courts.
- Pets are not permitted on the courts.
- Alcohol is prohibited on the courts and in Central Park.
- Please wear appropriate court footwear.
- Lights are operable daily from 6:00am - Sunrise and from Sunset - 10:00pm.
- To operate the lights, press the white button on the east (Gate A) or west (Gate D) end of the courts outside the gates. Lights will turn off after 1 hour. Press the white button again to illuminate the lights.
- For questions and/or to report any issues, please call the Parks & Recreation office at 904-310-3350.
SCHEDULED PLAY - This is a more social type of play where individual players or groups of players should expect to play with other players of similar skill levels. Players constantly rotate to other courts to play each other. Loaner paddles and pickleballs are provided
- Designated days/hours for Scheduled Play are posted on Gates A, B, C, and D at the courts.
- Drilling is not allowed.
- DOUBLES FORMAT ONLY. When all courts are full and after a game finishes, players are to place their paddles in the paddle rack to wait for the next available court.
- When less than 12 paddles are in the paddle rack, a 2 off/2 on rotation will be used. 4 players play a game on a court. Winner is first team to score 11, win by 2. The next 2 players with paddles in the paddle rack rotate onto the court. Winners may stay on the court for 2 games maximum, then rotate off.
- When 12 or more paddles are in the paddle rack, a 4 off/4 on rotation will be used. 4 players play a game on a court. Winner is first team to score 11, win by 2. All 4 players depart the court, and the next 4 players with paddles in the paddle rack rotate onto the court.
SCHEDULED PLAY days/hours (as of 4/10/2023)**:
- Sunday, 2:00 - 5:00pm: All playing levels on Courts 1 - 4; Beginners’ Play (rating levels 1.0 - 2.5) on Courts 5 & 6
- Monday, 8:00 - 10:00am: Women’s Play (all levels) on Courts 1 - 4; Beginners' Play (levels 1.0 - 2.5; women and men) on Courts 5 & 6
- Monday, 4:00 - 7:00pm: Advanced Competitive Play (levels 4.0+) on Courts 1 - 6 with Challenge Court on Court 4
- Tuesday, 8:00 - 11:00am: Intermediate Play (levels 3.0 & 3.5) on Courts 1 - 6
- Wednesday, 4:00 - 6:00pm: Intermediate Play (levels 3.0 & 3.5) on Courts 1 - 6
- Thursday, 8:00 - 10:00am: Men's Play (all playing levels) on Courts 1 - 4; all levels (men and women) on Courts 5 & 6
- Friday, 8:00 - 11:00am: Intermediate Play (levels 3.0 & 3.5) on Courts 1 - 6
Any hours outside of Scheduled Play are considered Open Play (recommended for players who prefer to play with people in their own group)**.
OPEN PLAY - This type of play is catered to players who bring their own partners and play only in their particular groups. Players should not expect to play with random players. Players must bring their own paddles and pickleballs.
- Days/hours for Open Play are any days/hours outside of Scheduled Play.
- SINGLES OR DOUBLES ALLOWED.
- Drilling is only allowed when all courts are not full.
- When 4 or more paddles are in the paddle rack, the 4 off/4 on rotation will be used. Please limit court time to one game to 11, win by 2.
- When the 4 off/4 on rotation is in effect, if the next 2 players with paddles in the paddle rack are playing singles, they must announce that they're playing singles, then rotate onto the next available court. The singles players must limit their court time to one game to 11, win by 2.
BE FAIR - SHOW GOOD SPORTSMANSHIP - HAVE FUN!
**Players are reminded to bring their own hand sanitizer and maintain social distancing when waiting for courts.
Not sure what playing level you are? Click on the following link for a description of the levels listed above: What level am I?
Interested in summer adult pickleball leagues? Information on the Parks & Recreation home page - Parks & Recreation - or email Jason Brown (jbrown@fbfl.org