Akron has free outdoor pickleball at three city and township parks, membership-based gym courts at three YMCA branches and the Shaw JCC, and a 24-court tennis center that runs its own pickleball sessions. Here is the current picture, checked against each venue's own source on October 5, 2026.
Free outdoor courts
Waters Park, at 111 Olive St, has 6 outdoor courts with permanent lines. The City of Akron lists it open every day from 7:00 AM to sundown, no fee and no reservation required.
Bath Community Park, at 1615 N Cleveland-Massillon Rd, has 4 outdoor courts with portable nets on what are otherwise tennis courts. Bath Township lists the park open 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM, free to play.
East Liberty Park in nearby Green, at 471 E Turkeyfoot Lake Rd, has 2 hybrid tennis/pickleball courts. The City of Green provides a portable net on site and lists the courts open dawn to dusk with no lights for night play.
YMCA open pickleball
Three Akron-area YMCA branches run scheduled open pickleball on half or whole gym courts, free for members and $10 per visit for non-members, per the Akron Area YMCA Association Pickleball Schedule:
- Kohl Family YMCA, 477 E Market St: Monday and Wednesday, 10:15 AM to 12:00 PM, half gym.
- Firestone Park YMCA, 350 E Wilbeth Rd: Tuesday and Thursday, 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM, half gym.
Both locations have 2 indoor hard courts with portable nets. The schedule notes it is subject to change and recommends calling the branch to confirm before a visit.
Shaw JCC outdoor pickleball
Shaw JCC of Akron, at 750 White Pond Dr, moved its pickleball free play to outdoor courts starting May 1, 2025. The current schedule posted on its own site is Tuesday and Thursday 7:30 to 10:00 AM, Wednesday 5:30 to 8:00 PM, and Saturday and Sunday 1:00 to 3:00 PM, first-come first-served. Members play free; non-members pay a $30 monthly pass or a $2 daily pass during those windows.
Reserved and club play
Towpath Tennis Center, at 2108 Akron-Peninsula Rd, has 24 total courts (10 outdoor, 14 indoor) and runs its own monthly pickleball sessions, $52 for members and $80 for non-members, open 8 AM to 9 PM.
Springside Racquet and Fitness Club, at 215 Springside Dr, has 17 total courts (12 outdoor, 5 indoor) with a court fee for non-members.
Portage Country Club and Balch Street Gym round out the city's indoor options; Balch Street runs winter-season pickleball Monday through Friday, 7:00 to 11:00 AM, with an active Fitness Class Pass.
See the full list, hours and directions for all twelve Akron pickleball venues on the Akron, OH city page.