DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Council approved a donation agreement Monday that will fund the installation of four pickleball courts at Stone Park.
The Mary K. and Daniel M. Kelly Family Foundation will donate $581,000 toward the construction of the courts. The entire project, which will also include a new futsal court and a resurfaced basketball course, is expected to cost $1,650,000. The remainder of the funding will come from grants and general obligation bonds.
Located in the Indianola Hills neighborhood, Stone Park spans 15.5 acres and serves an estimated 2,996 residents.
The Stone Park Pickleball Courts will be the city of Des Moines' first multi-court pickleball facility.
In recognition of their donation, the Kelly Family Foundation will be recognized with a sign outside of the pickleball courts.
The future pickleball facility comes as the sport continues to grow in popularity: In February, Sports & Fitness Industry Association declared pickleball was the fastest-growing sport for the third consecutive year.
The Stone Park Pickleball Courts will join a variety of other courts around the metro, including outdoor courts at Wildwood Park in Clive, Waukee Fox Park in Waukee and Valley View Park in West Des Moines.
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Director Ben Page told Local 5 the city hopes to bid the project in late November, in the hopes of opening the courts in late 2024 or spring/summer 2025.
