Pickleball at Elm Road (Harris Township Park at Elm Road)
Intro to pickleball will be held the 2nd and 4th Monday evenings at Elm Road (if offered, summers)
Please respect the neighbors by not paying too early or too late.
Please note, Harris Township has no parks department. Your inquiries are best handled by reviewing this website, or contacting other sources including the following:
The Michiana Pickleball Club is a great source of information about local play and lessons.
Also, consult the Michiana Pickleballers group on Facebook.
The township’s four outdoor pickleball courts were some of the earliest available in the area, and are recognized as among the best. Pickleball was included in the (2015) design of the park because of the multigenerational appeal of the sport. It is not uncommon for players to range in age from teens through 80s. Pickleball play is at Harris Township Park at Elm Road, 51520 Elm Road, Granger 46530.
Play is possible when the weather allows. The park is not plowed or shoveled. Nets are put up in the spring and taken down in the fall, at the township’s discretion. Notices about net movements are typically posted on this website and the township’s Facebook page @HarrisTownshipIN. Players may bring their portable nets at other times.
Please respect the neighbors by limiting play to between approximately 8:30 am and 9 pm, natural light allowing. There are no court lights.
Courts may not be reserved, except by the township. Players are encouraged to rotate in and out per posted guidelines and friendly court etiquette.
You can expect a crowd at regular times the local pickleball community has agreed to come together. Those times have included weekday mornings, Monday and other weekday evenings, Saturday mornings, and Sunday evenings among others. Follow the Michiana Pickleball Club on Facebook for up-to-the-minute information and invitations to play.
An Introduction to Pickleball class has been offered over the years, typically on Monday nights at 6pm from roughly June through August. Loaner puddles are provided. Volunteer instructors include those from the Michiana Pickleball Club; our thanks to them! NOTE: when classes are offered, it is common for two of the courts to be reserved for them. The instructor is authorized to reserve any and all courts at that time.
Prior to COVID, the Harris Branch library allowed the checkout pickleball paddles and balls. Check with them if you have a need.
To purchase paddles, consult the Michiana Pickleball Club for advice, or two local manufacturers - Paddletek and TMPR.
Pickleball Rules and Guidelines
If nets need adjustment, please notify the township.
Only pickleball play is allowed on the courts. No tennis. No other use.
No wheels are ever allowed on the courts. No pets. Do not sit on nets or otherwise disrespect the courts.
A township official, or the township's agent, may close courts or deny access to anyone, at any time.
Whenever people are waiting to play, winners may stay and losers must leave the court - or at least offer to do so. When four or more are waiting, it is courteous to rotate in four waiting players at the end of each game.
Winners may stay for no more than three games, then must leave the court. As a courtesy, winners should consider rotating out after 2 games.
A system may be in place to queue players in sequence, or one may be implemented by agreement. Please do not manipulate the system. It's rude.
When many players are waiting, please be considerate by rotating out all four players after playing one game.
By agreement of everyone at the courts at a particular time, a single challenge court may be designated. Winners stay.
Standard rules for pickleball apply, including games to 11 points, win by two or more.
Here are some guidelines for getting along with fellow players. Please play nice, and do unto others...
don't attempt to reserve a court, or squat on a court, in any way, shape, manner or form
when players are waiting, be considerate - perhaps opting to return at another time if you have 4 people who only want to play together
when 'newbies' join you, help them and play under your level if necessary; we were all new at one time
if needed, agree on a method to wait in line for the next available court - for example, by lining up paddles
don't skip your turn, stay out of line, or stack the line to only play with certain players; join the 'community' of players
if the courts are dirty, consider cleaning them
if you see people disrespecting the courts, take a picture and notify the township
be respectful of other players when waking on or off the courts, allowing a safe distance and not disrupting their play
when your ball goes astray, don't barge onto other courts or assume you can enter because you called 'ball'
use language that lifts others, or a least avoids being profane
pick up your trash
help lost items get to their proper place
play any music at a reasonable level, and only if everyone nearby is ok with what you're playing
To report issues contact the township office by phone or email. If you can, send a picture.
For more information about everything pickleball - including events, rules, other places to play, and local tournaments - contact the Michiana Pickleball Club on Facebook, by email michianapickleball@gmail.com, or on their website.