DARE COUNTY, N.C. — As pickleball grows in popularity, so does demand for places to play. Charlotte and the Triangle have been adding more pickleball courts for their growing communities, and now Dare County has too.   


What You Need To Know

  • Pickleball is one of the fastest growing sports in the U.S.

  • Dare County gained $500,000 to build new courts around the area

  • There are efforts in the legislature to expand access to pickleball through pilot programs

After pleas for more space from the OBX Pickleball Group and other community members, Dare County announced a $500,000 investment in new pickleball courts. 

Scott Garber is a member of OBX Pickleball Group and an ambassador for USA Pickleball. He says he’s thankful that Dare County commissioners see the need and want to help.

“We need places to play. What can you do for us? And, you know, Dare County has been very receptive to helping us grow the sport” Garber said.

And he said it’s not just a fading trend. Garber says interest in the sport has been growing over the last few years across the county because of its multi-generational appeal and social benefits.

“It's the fastest-growing. And I also say it's the fastest and most social game being played right now across the United States. The long-term goal, it is [to] try to get the schools involved, and the youth involved,” Garber said.

Although he’s happy to see more courts coming to the Outer Banks, he says he’d like to see more funds from the municipalities put toward recreation of all types.

“It is a town, six towns and a Dare County issue. And if we can get our town people and our voices from our towns to people to reach out to their county leaders and say, 'look, let's get everybody involved in this,'” Garber said.

Currently, Garber says over 250 people are playing each day on the existing courts. He’s working with the Dare County manager to choose locations for the new courts.