It looks and plays a bit like tennis but the court is smaller, combines some elements of table tennis and badminton, and requires a paddle and plastic ball that has holes.

It's pickleball, and it has been gaining momentum across Ohio as a fun activity for players of all ages. The tri-county area is no exception.

In her three years as office manager of Aspen Racket Club in Wooster, Heather Alexander has seen the volume of pickleball players nearly triple at her facility.

"Pickleball play has really picked up from last year," Alexander said. "Over the past few months, we've made the investment to add lines for six courts to accommodate the growth and demand for more places to play."

The growing popularity of the sport — which can be played as doubles or singles both indoors or out — has led to the opening of six new courts at Cahn Grove Park on Cleveland Road in Ashland, where Parks Director Jason Counts is happy to see so many players use the courts, which opened on Memorial Day weekend.

"It started off as three temporary courts, converting some tennis courts, but the popularity continued to grow," Counts said. "A pickleball association was formed by the players in our community and they helped with an effort to raise money throughout the community. We were able to fund around $200,000 for our pickleball complex.

"... There are constantly people playing there," he continued. "There are lights there, so people can even play at night."

He noted than many of the people who play outdoors also play at the indoor courts at the YMCA when weather is not ideal.

Community pickleball courts have popped up in Holmes and Wayne counties, to the delight of the growing legion of players.

Millersburg Village Administrator Nate Troyer included the addition of pickleball courts as part of the renovation of the tennis courts at one of the community parks.

"Several years ago, I was asked by a group of local guys if we would ever consider putting pickleball courts in at Airport Park," Troyer said. "Honestly, I had never even heard of it. We began to investigate it and found out it was a rapidly growing sport.

"After seeking public input, we found out there are a lot of locals who played it elsewhere and we put our courts in," Troyer continued. "Much like the disc golf course and skate park, I've been surprised at how popular it has been."

Troyer believes the popularity of the sport is, in part, because its pace is slower than tennis, it's easy to learn, provides good physical and social activity and is affordable.

Pickleball requires less side-to-side movement so there is not as much strain on the knees and hips. Basic hand-eye coordination and a competitive spirit are all that's needed for some, according to Alexander.

"It's quick. It's fun, and it's a game adults and kids can play together," she said. "We have tried to encompass pickleball into some of our junior programming and activities, just to get them familiar with what it is. But I'd say the majority of our members are adults."

Troyer said he was contacted about a pickleball project in Loudonville, and was asked about the process he went through in adding courts in Millersburg.

"I told them if I could change anything we'd add two more courts, more fencing and lighting," Troyer said. "We don't have any set leagues or reserved times for use of the courts, but they are being used very frequently." 

Darla Stitzlein is coordinating a group of pickleball players from Loudonville who have worked with Village Council there to get two temporary courts installed on the grounds of the community swimming pool at the east end of town off state Route 39. The courts are open to the public and free to play throughout the day.

From 4:30 to 7 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, a group of players come together for some pickleball fun.

Stitzlein's group has partnered with the Mohican Area Growth Foundation to raise tax deductible funds to add three permanent courts at the park. Their goal is to raise $120,000. That would build three courts, including perimeter and interior fencing, nets, lighting, sidewalks and benches.

Anyone interested in making a donation can do so by submitting a check, payable to the Mohican Area Growth Foundation (specify for pickleball courts), and mail to: Loudonville Pickleball Organization, PO Box 246, Loudonville, OH 44842.

Vasco in Massillon is a company that constructs pickleball courts and has quoted the price at around $40,000 per court.

"We have had around 30 players since the temporary courts opened 10 days ago (in September), so we're really encouraged by that," Stitzlein said. "We've also got more than 100 followers on our Facebook page (Loudonville Pickleball Organization) in the first week."

Parks in Wooster and Orrville have also added pickleball courts for public play.

In Wooster, there are pickleball courts at the Christmas Run Park near the Finn Pavilion. They are open on a first come, first served basis, during park hours, 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Saturday. For more information, call 330-263-5207 or visit woosteroh.com/parks/christmas-run-park.

Orr Park in Orrville has two courts that are open to the public and free to play during park hours, between 8 a.m. and midnight.

Aspen Racket Club in Wooster and the YMCA in Ashland offer indoor pickleball courts, which are popular for play when weather turns cold, wet and wintery.

Alexander said while Aspen Racket Club (ARC) is a members-only facility for tennis, the public is welcome to play pickleball. The guest fee is $5.

"We have six indoor tennis courts, and we have six pickleball courts that are permanently lined," Alexander said. "Anybody can come in and play pickleball any time those courts are available. Nonmembers just need to call ahead and find out what's available. Our members can book courts up to seven days in advance."

She said there are four days of open pickleball play at ARC: Monday evenings from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Wednesday mornings 9 to 10:30 a.m., Fridays 5:30 to 7 p.m. and Sundays 2 to 3:30 p.m. The cost is $14 for nonmembers and $9 for members.

Alexander said prospective players can stop by and tour the facility, which offers pickleball lessons, clinics and tournaments. A tournament is planned for November to kick off the winter season, but no official date is set.

Contact ARC for more details by calling 330-439-5004 or online at: arcwooster.com.

The Ashland YMCA is located at 207 Miller St. in Ashland. It's open Monday through Thursday, 5:15 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Fridays until 7 p.m. They are also open Saturdays from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. The YMCA is closed Sundays. Call for court availability: 409-289-0626 or online at: ashlandy.org.