New courts open at Atkinson Park in Washington Township

New pickleball, tennis and basketball courts are ready for players at James G. Atkinson Park. The new courts opened on Friday, June 5.

The new courts have been paved, painted and fenced. There are eight lighted tennis courts, six lighted pickleball courts and two lighted basketball courts.

“We are extremely excited to open our new courts for our residents,” said Freeholder Director Robert M. Damminger. “This transformation began last year and has taken a lot of hard work to complete. We hope our residents take full advantage and enjoy everything our parks have to offer.”

Due to COVID-19, restrictions have been put in place to comply with social distancing regulations.

Pickleball:

• Arrive with your group, play with your group, leave with your group
• No meetups permitted
• First come, first serve
• 90-minute limit (unless no one is waiting)
• Avoid using your hands to pick up your opponent’s pickleballs. If a ball from another court comes to you, send it back with a kick or with your racquet.
• Anyone waiting to play Pickleball must wait outside the fenced in Pickleball area with social distancing.
• Enter from parking lot gate. Exit from gate closest to tennis courts.
• Leave the courts as soon as play is completed. No extracurricular or social activity should take place. No congregation after play.

Tennis:

• Arrive with your group, play with your group, leave with your group
• First come, first serve
• 90-minute limit (unless no one is waiting)
• Avoid using your hands to pick up your opponent’s tennis balls. If a ball from another court comes to you, send it back with a kick or with your racquet.
• Leave the courts as soon as play is completed. No extracurricular or social activity should take place. No congregation after play.

Basketball:

• No more than 10 people per court.
• Social distancing required when waiting for courts.
• Leave the courts as soon as play is completed. No extracurricular or social activity should take place. No congregation after play

“We’re thankful our parks are open for residents during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Freeholder Jim Lavender, liaison to parks and recreation. “These regulations are meant to keep players safe and are critical to help kick COVID-19 out of our communities.”

For more information on parks and recreation, visit www.gloucestercountynj.gov or call (856) 251-6710.