These 22 pickleball courts are coming to South Jersey towns

If New Jersey is the Garden State, South Jersey could be turning into the "Pickleball Place."

At least 22 pickleball courts are coming to two local towns, reflecting the sport's strong growth.

Officials have announced plans for eight public courts in Cherry Hill , where a private country club is building five courts for its members.

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And a pickleball franchise in Turnersville plans to open a nine-court indoor facility by mid-year.

"Our residents spoke and we listened," Cherry Hill Mayor Dave Fleisher said at an event Feb. 19 to announce that four township courts are to be built at Beechwood and Poplar avenues. The site is near Route 38 on the town's west side.

Camden County officials unveiled plans at the same event for four pickleball courts off Bortons Mill Road at Challenge Grove Park, also in Cherry Hill.

Both sites are to have lighting, benches and parking. Construction of the public courts is to begin this summer for completion in the fall.

Also in Cherry Hill, five outdoor courts are to open this spring at The Legacy Club along Evesham Road, according to the club's website.

Separately, Ace Pickleball Club members are preparing a 25,000-square-foot facility at the Washington Plaza shopping center along the Black Horse Pike in Turnersville. It's expected to create 30 jobs.

Jim Walsh is a senior reporter for the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email: Jwalsh@cpsj.com.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey pickleball courts are multiplying