Citizens’ group revives pickleball courts proposal

The quest to build public pickleball courts in Canton is reportedly alive and well, as detailed by members of a citizens’ group who spoke at Tuesday night’s Select Board meeting.

The small but passionate group of residents, led by Pam Berman, has been working since May on a list of potential sites in collaboration with Select Board Vice Chair Trish Boyden, and thus far that list includes the Draper property on Washington Street abutting the Kennedy School; property near the Ponkapoag water tank on Route 138; and land abutting the headquarters of Trillium and Point32Health on Royall Street.

Many people spoke in favor of the effort during the public comment period and stayed to hear a discussion on the matter later in the meeting.

While the initial idea was to locate the courts at Pequitside Farm, that proposal was scrapped a few years ago due to strong abutter opposition. The project was then later revived under the leadership of Select Board member Mike Loughran with a financial commitment from the Canton Community Preservation Committee, but again the idea was shelved after talks over a potential lease of land from the Bank of Canton failed to produce an agreement. The CCPC had approved $400,000 in funding for the project, but the article was ultimately withdrawn at the 2026 Annual Town Meeting.

Boyden said the Select Board plans to work with the citizens’ group and other town staffers to help identify a new site for the courts. Board mepmber JR McCourt suggested that they inquire with the CCPC about potentially submitting a placeholder request for funding while they continue the search for an appropriate location.

Another possibility raised by Finance Director Randy Scollins is to work with a commercial firm specializing in pickleball court construction, noting that a similar arrangement has worked in the town of Foxboro.

Berman, speaking during the public comment period, said 600 people now play pickleball in Canton, utilizing temporary courts in the morning and evenings at CHS. “We have far exceeded the capacity of the temporary pickleball courts,” she said.

The citizens’ group has requested assistance from the town engineer’s office to examine the three sites and draft plans for the project with the goal of building eight courts. Berman said supporting the creation of pickleball courts offers an opportunity to create a community space that is accessible, welcoming, and fosters intergenerational play with players ranging in age from middle schoolers to people in their 80s.

In other news:

* The Select Board formally approved a new three-year contract …

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Posted by Mike Berger on Jun 19 2026. Filed under Top Stories. Both comments and pings are currently closed.