Dedicated pickleball complex eyed – without axes or arrows

With some good-natured chatter and at least two “but-what-abouts,” Miami-Dade commissioners Tuesday unanimously approved Commissioner Danielle Cohen Higgins’ resolution that the county mayor “examine the feasibility of creating a dedicate pickleball court complex.”

Pickleball is the country’s fastest-growing sport. More than 36.5 million people played pickleball from August 2021 to August 2022, according to a new report by the Association of Pickleball Professionals. Earlier data estimated the 2021 participation rate at 5 million players.

A 2023 APP Pickleball Participation report, based on a study conducted by YouGov, shows that 14% of Americans played pickleball at least once between August 2021 and August 2022. Over 8.5 million people played pickleball eight times or more, the report revealed.

Pickleball courts in Miami-Dade County can be found in Backhand City, Scott Rakow Youth Center, Miccosukee Golf & Country Club, Everglade Holiday Park, Pembroke Pines YMCA Family Center, Haulover Park, Salvadore Park Tennis Center, and Saga Bay Park.

In the “what-about” arena, Commissioner Kevin Marino Cabrera asked Commissioner Cohen Higgins if she’d consider adding archery to the resolution. She declined, thanking Mr. Cabrera for his suggestion.

Commissioner Raquel A. Regalado urged the other commissioners to try axe throwing, presumably at a target. There are multiple axe throwing facilities throughout Miami-Dade County, as well as archery ranges.