In June 2022, after working with the city’s staff and collecting donations from a wide range of individuals and businesses, two tennis courts at Hanna Park were converted to Pickleball courts.

Pickleball, created in 1965, combines elements of tennis, table tennis and badminton into one sport. Two or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, much like a Wiffle ball, with 26-40 round holes, over a net. The sport shares features of other racket sports: The dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules somewhat similar to tennis, with several modifications.

Since then, the addition of a storage shed, new signage that showcases donor support and the rules of play have begun appearing at the courts.

And, most recently, the courts have gotten a new coat of paint and sealant to really make them pop.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Local pickleball players enjoy the freshly painted courts at Hanna Park.

According to Ron Haffley, who helped spearhead the transformation of the courts, the M&M Paving painted the courts — with volunteers doing the linework — and sealed it.

“They did a great job,” Haffley said.

Now, the courts should be protected from the elements for at least 10 years, he said.

With the courts looking shiny and new, pickleball enthusiasts are already taking full advantage.

Roughly 70 to 80 individuals — some even travelers from outside the area — join in games on Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

LAURA JAMESON/THE EXPRESS Local pickleball players enjoy the freshly painted courts at Hanna Park.

And Haffley, along with Dr. Paul Ballat, hope to see that number grow with planned lessons in August.

Ballat, a former Lock Haven University professor who chaired the health and physical education department, will be offering lessons the first four Wednesdays in August.

Lessons will take place from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the courts, with open play available from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Ballat said the lessons will be progressive through the weeks, so he encourages those who are interested to take part in each. Lessons are free, but a donation tin will be at the courts for those who would like to support the maintenance and continued updates to the courts.

Ballat asks that anyone who would like to take part visit www.playtimescheduler.com or download the Play Time Scheduler app to mark they’ll be attending. Paddles and balls can be provided, but Ballat said participants may bring their own equipment.

Play Time Scheduler may also be used at any time, to see where and when games might be played at various courts throughout Clinton County and beyond.

Upgrades to the Pickleball courts tie into the city’s upcoming plans to upgrade Hanna Park. Currently, a survey is available for residents who would like to offer input on the proposed upgrades. That may be found at lockhavenpa.civilspace.io/en/projects/hanna-park.

Kasey Campbell, the city’s director of community life, said she and other staff are thrilled that the community is so involved in seeing Hanna Park grow.

“This is a project that has been a long time coming,” she said. “The pickleball community really stepped up and we’re glad to see community groups want to really make the parks their own.”