Hillsboro gets pickleball grant
Staff writer
Hillsboro has received a $15,000 grant for construction of five accessible pickleball courts.
The grant is a part of AARP’s 2026 Community Challenge, which has awarded $8.3 million to pay for quick-action projects nationwide.
Hillsboro was one of 55 Kansas communities to apply for a grant, and is one of only 11 to receive it.
So far, along with the $15,000, Hillsboro has raised over $72,000 for the courts from various local organizations like Hillsboro Community Foundation and Hillsboro Recreation Commission.
The proposed site is just west of the golf course, near the tennis courts at Hillsboro Memorial Park.
Hillsboro’s disc golf course shouldn’t be affected, according to city clerk Danielle Bartel.
Bartel said there was a growing need for courts designed for pickleball.
“We have several community members who use the tennis courts by Tabor College and play pickleball very often,” she said. “They have been asking, and we’ve received comments that people would enjoy having that in our community. Right now, there’s just a high demand for it in a lot of smaller communities.”
The courts will be designed to accommodate people ages 50 or older but will be available for anyone to use.
Depending on funding, picnic tables and benches compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act will be installed. Fencing, nets, a large-font sign, and LED lights also will be installed.
Construction is expected to be completed before Dec. 15, 2026.
Hillsboro has not discussed who will install the courts.
“We are going to be getting some quotes on that,” Bartel said. “I know that some of the work will be done by city staff. We had anticipated we would need to do all of it in-house.”