Watson Park Trail is one step closer to a batch of three new pickleball courts, following the Sunset Hills Board of Aldermen’s approval of a contract with construction company Vision Civil Construction at its June 10 meeting.

The addition of these three courts is part of the Watson Trail Pickleball Project: a project funded by a grant from the Municipal Parks Grant Commission for $456,947.

Beyond the construction of the pickleball courts, the project will also require the construction of a retaining wall, reconfiguration of the parking lot, pavement striping, the installation of concrete walkways, fencing around the perimeter and court amenities.

Four construction companies cast bids for the Watson Trail Pickleball Project. Vision Civil Construction won with the “lowest and most responsive bid” of $381,994.

There are currently four courts at Watson Park Trail that act as both tennis and pickleball courts. 

Last year, the Sports & Fitness Industry Association estimated that pickleball participation rates grew 223.5% from 2022 to 2024.