Pickleball in Evanston, Illinois

Evanston has a large public pickleball system with outdoor courts at several city parks and indoor play at city recreation centers. James Park is the main outdoor location with 15 lighted pickleball courts. Lovelace Park has 6 courts, and smaller court locations are available at Cartwright Park, Fitzsimons Park, and Mason Park.

Indoor players can find regular drop-in pickleball at Robert Crown Community Center and Levy Senior Center. Chandler-Newberger Community Center also offers indoor court rentals and city pickleball classes.

Where to Play Pickleball in Evanston

• James Park
  300 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
  James Park has 15 outdoor pickleball courts with lights. The expanded pickleball complex gives players multiple courts in one location and allows evening play. City programs have priority, and courts are otherwise available under Evanston's public court rules.
• Lovelace Park
  2740 Gross Point Road, Evanston, IL 60201
  Lovelace Park has 6 outdoor courts lined for pickleball. The courts are not lighted, so this location is more useful for daytime play.
• Fitzsimons Park
  1033 Elmwood Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
  Fitzsimons Park has 2 outdoor courts with pickleball lines and lights. The lighting makes this a useful smaller neighborhood option for evening games.
• Cartwright Park
  2311 Prospect Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
  Cartwright Park has 2 outdoor courts lined for pickleball. These neighborhood courts are not lighted.
• Mason Park
  Church Street and Florence Avenue, Evanston, IL 60201
  Mason Park has 2 outdoor courts with pickleball lines. The courts are not lighted and are available for daytime and early evening recreational play.
• Robert Crown Community Center
  1801 Main Street, Evanston, IL 60202
  Robert Crown offers indoor drop-in pickleball in its gym. Regular programming includes weekday afternoon and evening sessions. Depending on the session, 3 or 6 courts are set up and participation is limited. A fee applies. Robert Crown also rents gym space for private pickleball groups.
• Levy Senior Center
  300 Dodge Avenue, Evanston, IL 60202
  Levy Senior Center offers indoor pickleball open gym. Nets and balls are provided, and players bring their own paddles. A fee applies for general open gym, with selected pickleball sessions included for Levy members.
• Chandler-Newberger Community Center
  1028 Central Street, Evanston, IL 60201
  Chandler-Newberger provides indoor pickleball court rentals and hosts city pickleball classes. Rental equipment includes paddles and balls, making it useful for a small group that wants its own indoor court. A fee applies and reservations are required.
• McGaw YMCA
  1000 Grove Street, Evanston, IL 60201
  McGaw YMCA has indoor pickleball with regular open play throughout the week. Programming includes beginner sessions, clinics, leagues, and pickleball-specific fitness classes. The YMCA is useful for year-round play and for players looking for organized indoor games. Membership or program access requirements apply.

Evanston's outdoor public courts generally operate on a first-come, first-served basis outside city programs and approved reservations. Lighted courts can be used later in the evening than non-lighted locations.

See the City of Evanston tennis and pickleball page for current outdoor court rules, indoor locations, and schedules.

Pickleball Lessons and Classes in Evanston

Evanston Parks and Recreation offers pickleball instruction at Chandler-Newberger Community Center. Pickleball 101 is designed for newer players, and beginner and advanced beginner drill classes provide additional practice with basic skills. Intermediate drill classes are also offered for players with more experience.

Robert Crown Community Center offers additional instructional programming for intermediate players. City class offerings change between recreation seasons, so check the current program guide before registering. A fee applies.

McGaw YMCA also offers beginner-friendly pickleball clinics. Instruction covers rules, scoring, serving, dinking, and basic strategy, with equipment available for players who are just getting started.

Pickleball Events and Organized Play in Evanston

Robert Crown Community Center has recurring indoor drop-in pickleball. Afternoon sessions are scheduled on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with evening sessions on Tuesday and Thursday during portions of the year. Participation is limited, so check the current schedule before attending.

Levy Senior Center also has scheduled indoor open gym pickleball. Selected sessions are reserved for Levy members, and other open gym sessions are available with a drop-in fee.

McGaw YMCA has recurring open play during the week and on weekends. It also offers pickleball leagues and clinics, giving players another option for organized indoor games throughout the year.

Outdoor players can use the city's park courts for recreational games. James Park's 15-court setup provides space for multiple games and groups during the outdoor season.

Pickleball for Visitors to Evanston

James Park is a useful place to start if you are visiting during suitable outdoor weather. It has 15 lighted pickleball courts, so there is considerably more court capacity than at Evanston's smaller neighborhood locations.

If you are visiting without playing partners, check the indoor drop-in schedules at Robert Crown Community Center and Levy Senior Center. Robert Crown has recurring weekday sessions with multiple courts set up for pickleball. A fee applies.

McGaw YMCA near downtown Evanston is another option for organized indoor play, with open play scheduled on weekdays and weekends. Check access requirements before visiting.

For a small group that wants its own indoor court, Chandler-Newberger Community Center rents pickleball court time and provides paddles and balls. Call 847-448-8252 for rental availability.

For current city schedules and court information, see the City of Evanston tennis and pickleball page.