Players Flock to Endicott’s New Pickleball Paradise

Pickleball enthusiasts in western Broome County have another place to gather with fellow players.

The five pickleball courts at Grippen Community Park in Endicott have just opened.

The facility is located inside the original ice rink building that was opened in December 1972. It's ice-making equipment was wrecked by flooding in April 2005.

As part of a $4.3 million park improvement project, workers removed more than nine miles of piping from the old refrigeration system before a new concrete floor was poured.

The park reopened to the public last week, although activities at the site will be limited this month.

County officials said there were weather-related delays in getting the park ready for use in June.

Three concerts have been scheduled for Grippen. The first - featuring the band Beard of Bees - was to have been held June 19 but necessary work had not been completed. That concert has been rescheduled for September 18.

Plenty of pickleball lovers already have tried out the new courts at Grippen. Those who were at there Thursday said they were pleased with the facility.

One player said he hopes mesh can be added to the lower section of the fencing at the building to prevent balls from rolling outside the playing area. He also noted the surface should be hosed down regularly to wash away some of the unsanitary droppings left by birds.

The park building will be closed from July 9 to July 13 due to the Dick's Sporting Goods Open which will be underway at the neighboring En-Joie Golf Club.

A ribbon cutting event to mark the formal opening of the upgraded park is expected to be held in late July.

WNBF NEWS VIDEO: We didn't have time to play but we did have time to take a moment to watch those who were enjoying the Grippen pickleball facility on July 3, 2025.

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Contact WNBF News reporter Bob Joseph: bob@wnbf.com or call (607) 545-2250. For breaking news and updates on developing stories, follow @BinghamtonNow on Twitter.