PKLYN Opens in Gowanus!

The new 18,000-square-foot venue is an ace for pickleball lovers in Brooklyn

A pickleball match at PKLYN in Gowanus (Photos by Pam Wong)

Gowanus has lots of options for sporty types – canoeing, climbing, archery, shuffleboard, swimming, axe throwing…. Now, the neighborhood can add pickleball!

PKLYN, an 18,000-square-foot pickleball facility, will open soon at 80 4^th Street. But PKLYN is not your parents’ pickleball court. The airy, sleekly designed venue offers five courts on a premium playing surface, 23-foot-high ceilings, skylights, strategic lighting, sound paneling, a full service bar and a curated menu of items from local vendors including Alidoro sandwiches and Threes Brewing beers.

Designed by Meyers+Associates, the venue also features multiple lounge areas and a central mezzanine with glass guardrails – a perfect perch for spectators. A 20-foot-wide garage door opens up for fresh air and lets in more natural lighting.

PKLYN’s two court room

PKLYN’s three court room includes a dink court (purple) for warming up

The mezzanine lounge

The social pit features a 20-foot-wide garage door

The dink court (left) and stairs (right) that lead up to a private event space

PKLYN was founded by David Friedman, who started playing pickleball eight years ago. During the Covid pandemic, Friedman searched online for places to play, but couldn’t find anywhere. Eventually he came across a small group of players at the handball courts on Pier 2 at Brooklyn Bridge Park.

“We saw this group grow from 10-15 people to I think about 15,000 people [according to NYC Pickleball Slack],” Friedman said at a recent press preview. Back then, the group had to bring their own tape, net, and balls. “There’s obviously a need or desire” for more space to play, Friedman says. “About four months after we started playing at the pier, I started looking for real estate.”

“I really wanted to find a space and open up a home for that community,” he continues. “I began looking for spaces, all over Brooklyn, all over New York City.” Fortunately, he found an available spot close to home. “I’ve lived in the neighborhood for eight years. I love the neighborhood…. I [wanted] to find something here, but you’re a bit dictated by ceiling height, column spacing.” With 25 skylights, lots of windows, and open floor space, the former warehouse on 4th Street was perfect, creating an “open and happy and comfortable” environment.

PKLYN will serve as a community hub for Brooklyn’s avid pickleball players. The venue offers five pickleball courts and one smaller dink court for warming up. The solid, deep purple walls ensure players will not lose sight of the ball. The former concrete floors were replaced with asphalt which provides a softer surface ideal for playing.