TORONTO, July 10, 2026 – The City of Toronto announced on July 10 that a new dedicated pickleball facility at Main Sewage Treatment Playground is now open. The city says the site is one of Toronto’s larger dedicated pickleball facilities, covering about 25,000 square feet. It includes 11 dedicated pickleball courts, as well as accessible courts, shade structures, spectator seating, fencing, entrances and coloured court surfaces.
Main Sewage Treatment Playground is located near Eastern Avenue and Coxwell Avenue and covers about 11.2 hectares. City information shows that, in addition to the newly opened pickleball courts, the park also includes two basketball courts, a baseball diamond and Tubs & Gee Gage Rugby Field. With the new facility now open, residents can use the public space for sport and recreation during regular operating hours.
The City of Toronto says the new pickleball facility responds to rapidly growing demand for the sport in recent years. The city currently has more than 300 public outdoor pickleball courts across 108 summer outdoor locations, as well as 49 indoor locations offering drop-in programs. The city also says the new facility was supported by a $1.05-million investment through the mayor’s Back on Track program to improve and renew public recreation facilities.
Pickleball has grown quickly among different age groups in Toronto. Compared with some higher-intensity sports, pickleball uses a smaller court and has a lower barrier to entry, making it suitable for seniors, families and beginners. For many Chinese families and newcomers, public courts are also a low-cost way to take part in community activities, meet neighbours and maintain regular exercise habits.
However, rising demand for pickleball has also created questions about how public space is shared. In the past, some courts had to be shared with tennis courts, basketball courts or dry pads, which could lead to disputes over playing time, noise and lineups. More dedicated courts can help reduce conflicts between different sports and allow the city to better organize bookings, drop-in use and community activities.
The city reminds residents to check the Parks & Recreation facility page before visiting to confirm opening hours, program schedules and whether reservations are required. For seniors, people with mobility needs or families with children, accessible features, shaded areas, seating and the distance to washrooms are all important factors when deciding whether a facility is suitable.
From a public service perspective, the construction of pickleball courts is not only about adding sports facilities. It also reflects changes in Toronto’s community demographics and recreation needs. As the city becomes denser, residents are increasingly looking for low-cost, accessible public sports spaces that can serve different age groups. How to balance tennis, basketball, soccer, children’s activities and emerging sports within limited park space will be an important issue for future city facility planning.
With the new facility now open, residents in Toronto’s east end have more dedicated pickleball options. For other communities, it may also serve as a signal of whether the city will continue expanding public pickleball facilities in the future.（LJI by Yuanyuan）
