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There’s a new game in town, and it’s called pickleball. The popular tennis-like game officially arrived in Saucon Valley on Tuesday with the opening of four new pickleball courts at Polk Valley Park in Lower Saucon Township.

The courts were built by the township’s public works department, which director Roger Rasich estimated completed 95 percent of the work on them. They are located near the top end of the park and have a dedicated, adjacent parking area.

A sign attached to the fence around the pickleball courts explains what the game is and how it is played.

Acting township manager Jay Finnigan presided over a brief ribbon-cutting ceremony for the pickleball courts, which was attended by the public works employees who built them along with three members of Lower Saucon Township Council.

Finnigan said the courts were first suggested by former councilwoman Jennifer Zavacky in 2022. Councilman Tom Carocci advocated for their construction after Zavacky left council, and former township manager Mark Hudson worked to help make the six-figure project a reality, he added.

Council president Laura Ray, Carocci and councilwoman Priscilla deLeon were present for Tuesday’s dedication, which took place after recent rain had deposited some puddles on the courts, which public works employees worked to dry. Then it was time to play pickleball, with some attendees immediately taking their paddles and balls onto the courts.

A sign attached to the fence surrounding the pickleball courts explains what the game is and lists some basic rules of play and scorekeeping.

Polk Valley Park is open from dawn until dusk and is located 2068 Polk Valley Road, Hellertown, near the Saucon Valley School District campus. Other amenities include the township dog park, a playground, a picnic pavilion, athletic fields and trails.

For more information about parks and recreational amenities in Lower Saucon Township, visit the township’s website.