Sport in a ‘Pickle’ Over Court Space Gets a New Home

When you have a passion for your sport, you want to share it. John Stevens was that guy, and his sport was unfamiliar to most people — until he started sharing it VERY enthusiastically. Now the sport of pickleball has its own indoor and outdoor Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation leagues, Senior Tournament, and as of this spring — dedicated courts at Clarks Creek Community Park.

“He was the sport’s biggest advocate,” laughs his wife Gillian, who says John carried pickleball nets and paddles with him everywhere, so he could be ready for a game. The passion for his sport began about 12 years ago at the JCC when another man saw John racing Gillian towards the water fountain and joked, “You like to win, don’t you?” They both laughed. It’s true, says Gillian, that John turned everything into a contest, often joking, “This is for the belt!” He amassed dozens, if not hundreds, of the imaginary awards for impromptu contests with his family and friends over the years.

But the man at the JCC was on to something. He invited John, an avid tennis player, to watch a pickleball match going on in the gym. “He played that morning and got addicted!” says Gillian.

From there, John played whenever and wherever he could set up his nets — even in the most surprising places. Their daughter’s engagement party was one of those places, recalls Gillian. When it was time for a toast, Gillian couldn’t find John — until they looked out front and saw him, drenched in sweat in his dress clothes, teaching two kids how to play. These memories bring a chuckle now. It was just like John to share his love of sport any time he could.

Of course, John also worked hard to make pickleball “official” with Mecklenburg County Park & Recreation. The first courts were just lines painted on tennis courts at Tuckaseegee Park; then came the opportunity at Clarks Creek. John and Gillian met several times with then-director Jim Garges to plan them.

“John was the driving force behind the local explosion in participation,” says Michael Jackson, pickleball coordinator for Meck Park & Rec. “As pickleball has expanded, so has the desire by the local community for more dedicated pickleball courts.” More are planned.

Sadly, though, John Stevens passed away suddenly in 2018, before he could see his dream become a reality. Within a few weeks, Gillian and the couple’s friends came up with the idea of naming the new courts at Clarks Creek Community Park in north Charlotte in honor of John. They set up an account with Partners for Parks to facilitate raising money to share John’s enthusiasm of the sport and active recreation. MCP&R was happy to work with them to make it happen.

The new courts opened this summer when Phase 2 of the state’s Executive Order allowed the return to tennis courts. In the fall, they will be officially dedicated the John Stevens Pickleball Center. Gillian has the T-shirts ready, and the love and enthusiasm of a large circle of friends and pickleball fans, too.

“I can’t think of anything that would honor him better,” says Gillian. “This was something he was passionate about, something he worked hard at, excelled in, and laughed about, and we enjoyed together.”

“To me there could be nothing bigger,” she adds. “This would make him proudest.”

Indeed, this is “one for the belt.”