The Founders Courts
Honoring pickleball at the birthplace of the game
Bainbridge Island celebrates its legacy as the birthplace of pickleball – the fastest-growing sport in the United States – at the Founders Courts at Battle Point Park. The island’s first-ever dedicated pickleball center pays tribute to the game’s origins and draws players from around the country.
The Bainbridge Island Parks & Trails Foundation played a vital role in making the Founders Courts happen. Through community-driven fundraising, the Foundation helped complete court construction of the courts, transforming Battle Point Park into a destination for pickleball enthusiasts.
The Foundation funded the installation of interpretive displays along the walkway leading to the courts. These displays offered visitors a narrative of pickleball’s history—from its invention on Bainbridge Island in 1965 by Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum, to its rapid rise as a national and global phenomenon.
Gifts through the Foundation also funded an ornamental gate designed by local artist Michelle Van Slyke. With support from the Foundation, Van Slyke’s custom gate was installed as a striking entryway to the courts.
The Founders Courts stand as a testament to what community collaboration can achieve. They continue to honor Bainbridge Island’s unique place in pickleball history, offering a space where the past is remembered and the future of the sport is played out—one match at a time.
