Vandalism forces three Bonnerworth Park pickleball courts to close in Peterborough

Vandalism has taken three courts out of play at Bonnerworth Park, leaving Peterborough’s newest pickleball complex running short just as the rest of the 14-court facility was set to open on Friday, May 1, 2026. The damage came after rocks and high-visibility-paint-filled balloons were thrown over the fence at 560 McDonnel St. earlier in the week, marking down one of the city’s biggest public pickleball investments before it could settle into regular use.

The closure matters because it removes more than a single court from the rotation. Three shut courts out of 14 means a meaningful hit to total capacity, especially during peak evening and weekend hours when open play, casual doubles, and organized league blocks all compete for space. One of the damaged courts is accessible, which adds another layer to the setback by reducing inclusive access at a site that was designed to broaden who can get on court.

The City of Peterborough said it has not yet estimated repair costs or set a reopening timeline for the damaged surfaces. The vandalism was reported to the Peterborough Police Service, and the city asked anyone with information to contact police at 705-876-1122 or Crime Stoppers. For now, the remaining 11 courts were still scheduled to open, but the closure leaves players watching the calendar and the court count rather than assuming a full 14-court rollout.

Bonnerworth Park’s pickleball footprint is still very new. The city celebrated the park’s official grand opening on November 8, 2025, after a revitalization that added 14 new pickleball courts, a new bike pump track and an expanded skatepark. The project also included two accessible pickleball courts, making the loss of one accessible surface especially notable in a facility built to handle heavier public demand.

The timing also lands against the backdrop of how contentious and important Bonnerworth became before the first serve was even hit. In April 2024, Peterborough city council moved ahead with a roughly $4.4-million redevelopment that included 16 lighted pickleball courts, despite neighborhood pushback over noise and parking. The Peterborough Pickleball Association, which says it has more than 400 members, is part of the local base that will feel any disruption quickly. In Peterborough, the new phase of pickleball now includes not just growth and crowded courts, but the need to protect the ones the city has already built.