Cherry Hill Township plans to add pickleball courts at Beechwood. The planned courts would give local players another place to serve, volley and compete.
Part Of A Larger Eight-Court Plan
The Beechwood courts were originally conceived as part of a larger push to bring pickleball to Cherry Hill. Back in February, thesunpapers.com reported that the township planned to build a total of eight new pickleball courts, with four slated for Beechwood Avenue and four more planned for Challenge Grove Park. That report placed the Beechwood courts at the former Hinchman School site near Beechwood Avenue and Route 38, while a separate account from eu.courierpostonline.com described the township courts as being built at Beechwood and Poplar avenues — the two reports differ on the exact cross street.
Mayor Fleisher said in February that the township would begin putting the Beechwood project out to bid that same day, per the outlet's report. An earlier timeline from the same source indicated the Beechwood courts were set to open by fall 2026, with construction expected to begin earlier that summer. The site's design, according to 70and73.com, was planned to include parking, fencing, benches and added shade trees.
Challenge Grove Project Status In February 2026
In a February 2026 announcement, Camden County described plans for pickleball courts at John Adler Memorial Park at Challenge Grove. The project calls for four new courts with lighting, a new pavilion with an adjoining walking path, and other site enhancements meant to improve accessibility and enjoyment. The county said the project was in the design and permitting phase as of its announcement, with construction anticipated to begin in summer 2026.
South Jersey's pickleball footprint has been expanding well beyond Cherry Hill's two parks. The Courier Post reported that at least 22 pickleball courts were planned across two local towns, and noted that The Legacy Club in Cherry Hill was set to open five outdoor courts of its own this spring.
A Sport On The Rise Nationally
The growth locally mirrors a broader surge in pickleball's popularity. The Sun reported that the sport had more than 13.6 million U.S. participants in 2023, up 51.8 percent from the year before, citing data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association. A separate report from SFIA and Pickleheads, cited by 70and73.com, found that the 25-34 age group had the most participants of any age bracket at 2.3 million, while the sport added more than one million participants under 18 between 2022 and 2023.
More than 2,300 new pickleball locations were added nationwide in 2025 alone, bringing the total to 18,258 locations. With Beechwood planned and Challenge Grove among the projects ahead, Cherry Hill's courts would add to that fast-growing national count.
