For all the pickleheads: Here's 11 spots to check out for pickleball in Des Moines

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez, Des Moines Register

Pickleball has become the new summer sport of choice across the U.S. If you're looking to get in on the fun, here are a few local spots you can find a game, lessons or a free outdoor court.

Where do I have to pay to play pickleball in Des Moines?

There are plenty of pickleball spots in the Des Moines metro, but some have more perks than others. At places like Smash Park, you can grab a burger and a beer while you play. Or at Dinks Pickleball, you can find lessons from professionals.

Here are some locations in Des Moines with pickleball courts available for a fee:

Dinks Pickleball, Des Moines (Merle Hay Mall)

Locally- and family-owned, Dinks is an indoor pickleball venue in Des Moines, and the largest pickleball venue in central Iowa. If you're new to pickleball, no sweat. Dinks has professional instructors as well.

  • Hours: Daily from 6 a.m. to midnight

  • Cost: Prices vary by hourly rates ranging between $16 and $28. Memberships start at $45 a year.

  • Address: 3800 Merle Hay Road, Suite 1000, Des Moines

Fourmile Community Recreation Center, Des Moines

Des Moines' Fourmile Community Recreation Center has drop-in pickleball hours every week.

  • Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m.; Wednesdays from 3 to 8 p.m.

  • Cost: $2 per visitor, but youth (10-18) and seniors 60 years and older are free

  • Address: 3711 Easton Blvd., Des Moines

Pioneer Columbus Community Recreation Center, Des Moines

Another Des Moines Recreation Center, Pioneer Columbus has drop-in pickleball hours as well.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. Monday through Friday or 6-8 p.m. Mondays (available March-September only)

Cost: $2 per visitor, but youth (10-18) and seniors 60 years and older are free

Address: 2100 SE Fifth Street, Des Moines

Smash Park, West Des Moines

Get in some party and play time at Smash Park in West Des Moines. The entertainment venue was one of the first to offer pickleball when it opened in 2018. It offers indoor and outdoor courts plus other games a full menu and bar. Equipment is also available for rent.

  • Hours: Monday to Thursday from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. or Sunday from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.

  • Cost: Pickleball starts at $19 an hour and can be $38 an hour on weekends.

  • Address: 6625 Coachlight Drive, West Des Moines

Valley Community Center, West Des Moines

West Des Moines' Valley Community Center has 18+ adult pickleball three days a week.

You can find beginner and advanced classes at the center as well. Sign up at valleycommunity.center/pickleball.

  • Hours: Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m.

  • Cost: $2 per person. Paddles are available to borrow for free.

  • Address: 4444 Fuller Road, West Des Moines

How to play pickleball: Here are the rules and things to know before hitting the court

Where can I play pickleball for free in Des Moines?

If you don't need all the extra perks and have your own gear, there are plenty of parks in Des Moines and surrounding areas that have free outdoor courts. While most of them are tennis courts, you can usually find pickleball lines painted as well.

Here is a sampling of the places where you can play pickleball for free in Des Moines. Don't forget your gear!

Ashby Park

This public park has two free outdoor pickleball courts. There are permanent nets and lines, but you'll have to bring your own paddles and balls.

Address: 3200 38th St., Des Moines

Birdland Sports Park

This outdoor tennis spot has seven courts with permanent pickleball lines. The nets are for tennis, but that never hurt anyone. It's free and open to the public, but don't forget your gear.

Address: 600 Birdland Drive, Des Moines

EMC Downtown Park

EMC President and CEO Scott Jean and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie play a short game of pickleball at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for EMC Downtown Park on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.
EMC President and CEO Scott Jean and Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie play a short game of pickleball at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for EMC Downtown Park on Wednesday, May 31, 2023.

A former Younkers department store site that was ravaged by a 2014 fire reopened in 2023 as the first park in downtown's core. EMC Insurance Cos., purchased the site after the building was destroyed in the fire and originally intended to build office space. The pocket park is home to the city's first dedicated pickleball courts. It also includes a basketball court, a bags court, ping-pong table as well as chess, checkers and backgammon tables.

Address: 701 Walnut St., Des Moines

MacRae Park

There are two outdoor courts at MacRae Park, which underwent a multi-year renovation that wrapped up in 2023. Both courts are free, but the lines are overlaid on a tennis court with tennis nets. Bring your own gear. And, don't skip on the overlook for a sunrise or sunset view of downtown.

Address: 2235 SW 11th St., Des Moines

McCollum Waveland Tennis Complex

With 12 outdoor courts, McCollum Waveland is free to the public. Bring your own gear and expect the courts to be overlaid on tennis lines with a slightly taller tennis net.

Address: 936 Polk Blvd., Des Moines

Tower Park

There are two outdoor tennis courts at Tower Park. As with the other parks, both are overlaid on tennis courts and require bringing your own paddles and balls.

Address: 4900 Hickman Road, Des Moines

Victoria Reyna-Rodriguez is a general assignment reporter for the Register. Reach her at vreynarodriguez@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @VictoriaReynaR.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Do you play pickleball? Find a court in Des Moines here

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