New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assemblywoman MaryJane Shimsky proudly announce that Governor Hochul has signed their legislation, S.8630/A.9132, which will expand community access to pickleball at Anthony F. Veteran Park in Greenburgh, NY. This new law amends a 2012 bill led by the Majority Leader that enabled the construction of a tennis bubble at the park. With this legislation now enacted, residents will be able to use these courts not only for tennis but also for pickleball—the fastest-growing sport in America.
This legislation clarifies that “tennis facilities” include areas where various racquet sports, such as tennis and pickleball, can be played. This change was requested by the Town of Greenburgh, which aims to maximize the use of existing courts for community recreation. It now empowers the town to offer year-round pickleball, capitalizing on the sport’s popularity and growth.
A recent report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) highlights the explosive rise of pickleball, showing that the number of participants increased by 51.8% between 2022 and 2023, and a staggering 223.5% since 2020. This underscores the growing demand for spaces where people can play pickleball and similar activities. Read the full report here.
“The passage of this legislation is a fun and exciting step forward for our community,” said Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. “By expanding the use of these courts to include pickleball, we’re creating more opportunities for residents to engage in healthy, active recreation. Providing accessible and enjoyable ways to stay active is especially vital for our aging community. These courts will now accommodate a broader range of activities, benefiting everyone. I want to thank Co-Sponsor Assemblywoman Shimsky, retired Parks Commissioner Gerry Byrne, the Town of Greenburgh, and Governor Hochul for their collaboration and support in making this happen.”
Assemblywoman Shimsky added, “The people of Greenburgh and I are grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law. Recreation is vital for the physical and emotional well-being of our communities, and the Town of Greenburgh can now offer a full range of racquet sports, including the wildly popular pickleball, at their facilities. Kudos to Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, the Town Supervisor, and the Town Council for their leadership, and a special thanks to retired Parks Commissioner Gerry Byrne for his strong advocacy on this issue.”
Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins has long championed the expansion and revitalization of New York’s parks and recreational facilities. In 2012, she carried the original legislation that authorized the Town of Greenburgh to lease the area around the tennis courts to build the tennis bubble. Now, more than a decade later, she continues to lead efforts to ensure that public recreational areas meet the evolving needs of the community.
Under Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ leadership, in partnership with the Assembly and Governor, state parks funding has dramatically increased since 2019, with capital funding rising from $200 million to $642 million. These investments support revitalization, preservation, and innovation projects that ensure New York State’s public recreational areas remain among the best in the nation.
