With its scenic riverfront location along Route 35 in Belmar, New Jersey, Maclearie Park is an outdoor adventurist’s dream destination, especially if you like to play pickleball with a water view.
Pickleball is a popular racquet sport that is part badminton and part ping-pong, played on a 20-foot by 44-foot court with a net height of 36 inches. The court has a 14-foot non-volley zone on each side of the net. This feature is designed to prevent spiking of the ball.
The blue-surfaced pickleball courts in Belmar are one of nearly 8,500 locations nationwide dedicated to the sport. Belmar’s pickleball courts were built in 2021, near the public tennis courts at Maclearie Park. Court time is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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About The Game Of Pickleball
According to the USA Pickleball Association, the game originated in a Seattle-area back yard in 1965. Over the past 55+ years, pickleball has exponentially grown into an international recreational, league and tournament sport, with over 3.3 million players in the United States alone.
Similar to tennis, two to four players can play a game of pickleball, either as singles or doubles. The pickleball serve is always an underhand serve made diagonally to the opposing team or player, according to the International Federation of Pickleball.
Only the serving side can score points in a pickleball match. Similar to volleyball, the person who serves in a pickleball game continues to serve until their side commits a fault. Common pickleball faults include hitting the ball out of bounds, failing to hit the ball over the net, or touching the lines or any other part of the non-volley zone.
The first side that scores 11 points with a two-point lead over the other side is declared the winner of the pickleball game.
Belmar Recreation Pickleball Games
Intermediate and advanced pickleball players are invited to participate in Belmar Recreation's weekly games at the municipal gym, 601 Main Street (in the Borough Hall building). Adult evening pickleball games are played every Monday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. now through the start of basketball season in June. Players must be age 21 or older. The cost is $10.00 per game.
Residents over age 65 may play pickleball at the municipal gym for free every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday between the hours of 1:00 and 3:00 p.m. Intermediate or advanced levels only.
For more information, contact Belmar Recreation by email or by calling 732-681-3700, ext. 211.
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Live Like A Local: Rent A Belmar Beach House
Day trips down the shore are fun, but it's even better to rent a beach house for the week to experience everything wonderful about the Belmar area. For couples, solo adults and small families, the two-bedroom Blue Hydrangea Cottage rental in Belmar, New Jersey, is the perfect getaway place. The home sleeps up to four people and is consistently rated five stars for cleanliness, amenities and location. Learn more at www.vacationinbelmar.com.
Story and photos © copyright by Christine Cardellino, owner of www.VacationInBelmar.com and publisher of the award-winning Belmar Beachcomber Blog, a travel and tourism guide for the Belmar region of the Jersey Shore. Do not copy any content (including images) without our permission. All rights reserved.
