BE INCLUSIVE!
We’ve all heard stories of how hard it is to mix into play at an “exclusive club.” Translation: They are not welcoming others or letting waiting players join into games even when their paddles are in the paddle racks. It is up to us as club members to make sure the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club has an outstanding reputation in the pickleball world. This FAQ should have all of the info needed to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere at Belknap Park. If you have questions, suggestions and more, please Contact Us. And bookmark our amazing calendar for a resource that includes dates of events, sign-up links and much more. It can be sorted by day, month and even list format.
Playing at Belknap Park FAQs
Do you need to be a member of the GRPC to play at Belknap?
What are the court guidelines for playing at Belknap?
Courts 1-2: Open play, all levels, all the time. 2 on/2 off. Winners split.
Courts 3-5: Advanced open play. 2 on/2 off. Winners split. 4.0+ tournament players and above.
Court 6: Advanced Challenge Court. Get in line as a team. Winners stay.
Courts 7-10: Beginner/Recreational/Social open play. 2 on/2 off. Winners split.
Courts 11, 13-15: Intermediate open play. 2 on/2 off. Winners split.
Court 12: Challenge Court. Winners stay.
Courts 16-21: 4 on/4 off. Get in line as a group of 4 for the next available court.
We believe it’s a good blend that will fill the most needs for the most players. We also believe that it is up to us as club members to make sure the Grand Rapids Pickleball Club has an outstanding reputation in the pickleball world.
Newer players/lower-skilled players should play on the lower-numbered courts.
As your skill set advances you move to higher-numbered courts.
On all courts except Challenge Courts, the Open Play guidelines are that winners split and play three games max before coming off the court. If it is extremely busy, winners and losers should come off the courts. Please use common courtesy, everyone wants to play.
If you want to play on the same court again, put your paddle in the paddle rack and wait your turn. At no time should it be heard “Our foursome is going to play again” when there are people waiting to play.
If you have a group of people you want to play with, go to courts 16-21. If all six courts are in use you must use the paddle rack at Court 17 to get in line for the next court as a complete foursome. When players are waiting, foursomes rotate off after a game and put their paddles in the rack for the next available court.
Our calendar will show what events are happening at Belknap and how many courts are reserved for those events. View here before you go.
What is “open play”?
In nearly every case, open play is from 9 a.m.-noon and 5 p.m to 8 p.m. When a game ends, if players are in line, two players leave the court. Winners split up and two new players join the court.
Each court should have signs indicating rules for rotating onto that court.
Does the GRPC give lessons?
Are balls and paddles provided at Belknap?
What is Friday Night Lights and how do I sign up?
I heard about Ladies' mornings at Belknap. What is it and can any female play?
Watch the GRPC Facebook page for announcements about weather cancellations.
What is the Men’s Legacy Group?
Why should I sign up for a GRPC membership when I can play for free at Belknap Park?
Membership also provides a sense of ownership and community for the club and everything we have accomplished at Belknap Park. Probably 90 percent or more of what you see at Belknap has been purchased and implemented by the club. The 21 designated pickleball courts, fencing, lighting, electricity, maintenance, nets, windscreens, bleachers, signage, etc. are all managed by the club. The city of Grand Rapids owns the land but we are the caretakers and developers. Obviously, membership doesn’t even come close to covering the cost of everything we have implemented at the park but it does help.
The club holds membership-only events at Belknap such as Friday Night Lights in the summer, the club Championship and Fall Friendzy tournaments, First Timer Tournaments, a couple of ladder leagues, and drilling clinics. There is a men’s legacy group on Tuesday mornings and ladies play Thursday mornings during the summer months. Our calendar has all the details.
The GRPC also runs two larger tournaments, not specifically for members, but we certainly wouldn’t have them without the leadership and volunteers from the club.
Other Places To Play
Also, this helpful Google Map is maintained by the West Michigan Pickleball Group on Facebook and can help you narrow down where you’d like to play based on where you live.
Outdoor
BELKNAP PARK - OUR HOME COURT
Next to the Grand Rapids Griff’s Ice House.
MONDAY-SUNDAY
WALKWAYS AND GATES
Every court can be accessed from the dark gray painted walkways. Please do not cross a court in use for any reason other than an emergency.
REMINDER
There is Ladies Play every Thursday morning from 9:00 am to 11:00 am on courts 7-21.
Legacy Men’s group plays every Tuesday morning from 8-10 am on courts 16-21.
ADA PARK
BYRON CENTER
616-784-2007
No set timeframes
CASCADE TOWNSHIP PARK
COURTLAND TOWNSHIP
8 courts, no lights
CUTLER PARK
No set timeframes
HUDSONVILLE
Chicago Dr. and School St.
MVP ATHLETIC CLUB
616-575-8650
There are 8 permanent lined outdoor pickleball courts on the farthest tier of 4 tennis courts. The outdoor courts are free for members to reserve.
OLD FARM PARK
Four outdoor courts. North off of 52nd and Stauffeur. Turn right on Embro, courts at end of street at the top of the hill.
Thursdays 6 p.m. Level 3.5 or higher
YANKEE SPRINGS TOWNSHIP PARK
Two outdoor courts. Exit 61 on 131. Go 7 miles east, past Patterson. South on Parker.
Scheduled Open Play: M, W, TH, F, and SAT, 7:30 -9 a.m. Unscheduled Open Play every day 6:30 p.m.-dusk. All skills and ages welcome.
If you are a newbie player, please take the free Introduction to Pickleball Class first with Phyllis Wordhouse. RSVP for the class by email: wordhouse777@gmail.com. 4 students max per clas
Indoor
ALL IN PICKLEBALL GYM
Byron Center, MI 49315
Five full-sized, dedicated pickleball courts, plus dinking and skinny singles courts, with 16-foot-high containment nets.
Find us online at https://www.allinpickleballgym
BYRON TOWNSHIP COMMUNITY CENTER
(East of Byron Center Ave)
616-878-1998
Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:00 am – 3:00 pm
Friday: 10 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Memberships: Residents/Non-Residents
18-54 yrs old
Daily $5 / $7.50
Monthly $24 / $36
55 + yrs old
Daily $4 / $6
Monthly $19 / $28.50
BELDING COMMUNITY ED
GR RACQUET & FITNESS
IMPACT DYNAMIC TRAINING
KENTWOOD ACTIVITIES CENTER
355 48th St., Grand Rapids
616.656.5270
https://www.kentwood.us/city_services/city_departments/parks_and_recreation/index.php
KENTWOOD COMMUNITY CHURCH
1200 60th St., Kentwood
616.455.17401
Call For Info
Enter at Door E. Weather closings will be on PickleUp app
MVP ATHLETIC CLUB(s)
115 Crahen Ave. NE, Grand Rapids
616-575-8650
https://mvpsportsclubs.com/
MVP Sportsplex/Burton
4035 Burton St SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
https://mvpsportsclubs.com/
MVP Athletic Club/Rockford
515 E Division
Rockford, MI 49341
https://mvpsportsclubs.com/
MVP Athletic Club/Holland
650 S Waverly Rd
Holland, MI 49423
https://mvpsportsclubs.com/
MARY FREE BED YMCA
MSA FIELDHOUSE & MSA WOODLAND
5435 28th St. Court SE, Grand Rapids (behind Cascade Meijer Store)
616-328-8100
Woodland;
2100 28th Street, Grand Rapids
616-328-8120
PREMIER ATHLETIC & TENNIS CLUB
4250 Spartan Industrial Dr., SW, Grandville
(N off 44th St just W of Byron Center Rd)
616-538-4600
https://www.premieratclub.com/pickleball