Quick answer: For pickleball in Glastonbury, start with the town’s four free, lighted outdoor courts at the Riverfront Community Center Fairgrounds, 300 Welles Street. They are first come, first served, the lights run until 10 p.m., and seniors 60+ have them on Wednesday mornings. In winter, the Glastonbury Tennis Club at 228 Oak Street runs paid indoor open play from $12 a session.
The 30-second version
- Town courts: 4 dedicated outdoor courts at 300 Welles Street, open to everyone, no reservations.
- Cost: the town lists no fee for the outdoor courts. Indoor open play at the tennis club is $12 for members and $17 for non-members.
- Lights: push-button, 45 minutes at a time, from dusk until 10 p.m.
- Seniors: the courts are reserved for players 60+ on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to noon.
- Loaner gear: borrow paddles from Senior and Social Services inside the community center.
Where can you play pickleball in Glastonbury?
The main place to play pickleball in Glastonbury is the town’s four-court complex at the Riverfront Community Center Fairgrounds, 300 Welles Street, near the Connecticut River. The town’s facility listing shows parking and public bathrooms on site.
- Riverfront Community Center Fairgrounds: 4 dedicated outdoor courts, free, lighted, first come, first served.
- Glastonbury Tennis Club, 228 Oak Street: private indoor club with pickleball court bookings, open play, clinics and a pickleball membership.
The courts can’t be reserved for private or commercial use. The town’s Parks and Recreation and Senior Services departments can book them for their own programs, and the courts are closed to the public during those sessions.
How did Glastonbury get its pickleball courts?
The Riverfront courts opened to the public in July 2023, built by Glastonbury Parks and Recreation and the town’s engineering department, Patch reported at the time. Two local players, Jim Smith and Kathleen Nowosadko, advised the town throughout the project.
At first the courts were open dawn to dusk only, and the town said lights would come later. They did. The courts closed for a day on May 2, 2025, while light poles went in, Patch reported. Nearly two years from opening day to night play is a common timeline for a New England town. Many towns pay for the courts first and the lights later. If your town is at the same stage, our guide to pickleball court grants covers how other towns paid for theirs.
How do the lights work on the Glastonbury courts?
The Glastonbury court lights are push-button. Press button #1, the lower button, on the grey panel near the court entrance. The lights stay on for 45 minutes, then dim, and you press again for another 45. They won’t come on before dusk, and they shut off at 10 p.m.
That makes the Riverfront courts a good after-work option once the days get short in October.
What are the rules at the Riverfront pickleball courts?
The town posts a paddle-rack rotation, so nobody has to argue about who is next. Here is how it works, in the town’s own order:
- Games: standard scoring, first to 11, win by 2.
- Paddle rack: when people are waiting, they put paddles in the rack in groups of four. When a game ends, the next four go on.
- Practice limit: anyone drilling instead of playing a game must leave within 15 minutes once paddles go on the rack.
- Want another game? Go to the back of the line.
- On the court: pickleball only, non-marking shoes, no chairs, and spectators stay outside the fence.
- Weather: don’t play in the rain or right after it, and don’t shovel snow. Town staff maintain the courts in every season.
New to open-play etiquette? Our dinking guide and kitchen rules guide will get you through your first games.
When are the Glastonbury courts reserved for seniors?
Glastonbury reserves all four courts for residents 60 and older on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon. The town’s Parks and Recreation and Senior Services departments can also book the courts for their own programs, so check the town page before a weekday morning visit.
Can you borrow a pickleball paddle in Glastonbury?
Yes. You can borrow a paddle in Glastonbury from the Senior and Social Services Department at the Riverfront Community Center, first come, first served. You fill out an Equipment Loan Agreement and leave an ID at the office to the left of the main entrance.
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday: return by 4 p.m.
- Tuesday and Thursday: return by 7:30 p.m.
- Saturday: return by 1:30 p.m.
- Sunday: no lending.
If you like it and want your own paddle, our Paddle Finder matches one to how you play.
Where can you play indoor pickleball in Glastonbury?
The Glastonbury Tennis Club at 228 Oak Street runs indoor pickleball all season. Its pickleball page lists open play, private court bookings, clinics and lessons. The club’s page does not give a court count. Pickleheads lists six indoor courts with permanent lines and portable nets.
- Lunchtime open play: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 1 to 3 p.m.
- Friday night: 7 to 9 p.m.
- Sunday: beginners and advanced (3.7+) 4 to 6 p.m., intermediate 6 to 8 p.m.
- Sign-up: through the TeamReach app.
- Beginners: the club says a Pickleball 101 session begins Saturday, November 7.
More indoor options around the state are in our indoor pickleball in Connecticut guide.
How much does pickleball in Glastonbury cost?
Pickleball in Glastonbury costs nothing at the town courts, which list no fee. Indoor play at the Glastonbury Tennis Club is paid, at these per-person rates from the club’s pickleball and rates pages:
| Option | Price |
|---|---|
| Town courts, 300 Welles St | No fee listed |
| Club open play (any session) | $12 members / $17 non-members |
| Private court booking | $8 (1 hr), $12 (1.5 hr), $15 (2 hr) per person |
| Guest fee | Add $10 |
| Pickleball membership | $60 per person per year |
One correction for anyone price-shopping: Pickleheads still lists the club’s pickleball membership at $50. The club’s own pages say $60. Go by the club. Call (860) 659-3731 to confirm before you go.
Where else can you play near Glastonbury?
Glastonbury sits on the east bank of the Connecticut River, across from Wethersfield and Rocky Hill and a short drive from Hartford. Nearby guides:
- Pickleball in Hartford, the area hub for the capital region.
- Pickleball in West Hartford.
- Pickleball in Vernon, to the northeast.
- Pickleball in Wallingford, for 12 free town courts.
- The Connecticut pickleball hub and the full court directory.
Frequently asked questions
Where are the pickleball courts in Glastonbury, CT?
At the Riverfront Community Center Fairgrounds, 300 Welles Street. The town has 4 dedicated outdoor courts there, with parking and public bathrooms.
Are the Glastonbury pickleball courts free?
The town lists no fee. The courts are first come, first served and can’t be reserved for private or commercial use.
Do the Glastonbury pickleball courts have lights?
Yes. Press button #1 on the grey panel by the entrance for 45 minutes of light, and press again to keep playing. The lights work from dusk until 10 p.m.
When is senior pickleball in Glastonbury?
The four town courts are reserved for players 60 and older on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to noon.
Is there indoor pickleball in Glastonbury?
Yes. The Glastonbury Tennis Club at 228 Oak Street runs indoor open play for $12 for members and $17 for non-members, plus court bookings, clinics and a $60 yearly pickleball membership.
Sources: Town of Glastonbury, Pickleball Courts; Glastonbury Tennis Club, Pickleball and Seasonal Membership & Rates; Chris Dehnel, Patch, July 20, 2023 and April 28, 2025; Pickleheads listing. Read October 19, 2026; hours and prices change.
