CityPickle has signed a 20-year licensing agreement to continue operating pickleball courts at Wollman Rink* in Central Park during the non-ice-skating seasons.
The decision was made by the NYC Parks Department following a competitive RFP process in which CityPickle and Related Companies (partners in Wollman Park Partners II) were selected as the highest-rated proposers to operate and maintain Wollman Rink.
CityPickle and Related Companies have committed to upgrading Wollman Rink’s infrastructure, expanding access to affordable recreational programming and continuing to build on its partnerships with local nonprofits that serve the broader New York Community.
Over the past three years, CityPickle reports having introduced over 180,000 players to pickleball at Wollman Rink
“We are thrilled for the vote of confidence from NYC Parks. This is an unprecedented moment for the sport of pickleball. A 20-year home in the world’s most iconic park speaks to pickleball’s popularity and reflects New York City’s commitment to accessible recreation for all,” said CityPickle Co-Founder Mary Cannon. “Related has been an extraordinary partner and visionary in transforming Wollman Rink into a true year-round destination. We’re excited to continue growing this community and sharing the joy, connection, and fun of pickleball with New Yorkers and visitors alike, one player at a time,” said CityPickle Co-Founder Erica Desai.
“Skating at Wollman Rink is an iconic New York City experience that has endeared itself to residents, families and tourists for generations,” said Jeff T. Blau and Bruce A. Beal, Jr., CEO and president of Related Companies. “But thanks to our partnership with CityPickle, it has become a year-round destination and vibrant place for people to come together to enjoy the Park. We are delighted to be able to continue as stewards of Wollman Rink and look forward to expanding access and the experiences available for generations to come.”
In addition to securing two decades of pickleball at Central Park, CityPickle is also undertaking a 200,000-square-foot expansion in 2026, which includes a new flagship location and headquarters in Times Square (set to open early 2026), the debut of CityPickle Brooklyn Bridge in Spring 2026, and Boca Paddle, a 25-court pickle and padel facility in Boca Raton, FL, opening in Summer 2026.
CityPickle operates NYC’s first indoor pickleball club in Long Island City, along with seasonal installations across Hudson Yards, Union Square (New York City), and Philadelphia’s Dilworth Park at City Hall.
*Wollman Rink is a public ice rink located in the southern part of Central Park in Manhattan, in New York City. It is named after the Wollman family, who donated the money for its original construction. The rink opened on December 21, 1950, is is open for ice skating from late October to early April. Image courtesy City Pickle
