New pickleball courts, renovated dog park set to open at Avondale’s Friendship Park

The city of Avondale will open eight new pickleball courts and a renovated dog park at Friendship Park with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 6.

BY JEFF VINTON

Dec 31, 2025, 2:36 PM

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PHOENIX — The presence of pickleball continues to grow in the Valley, as eight new courts are set to open, along with a renovated dog park, in the West Valley next month.

The pickleball complex and canine facility at Friendship Park in Avondale will be unveiled during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Jan. 6, according to a press release from the city.

The ceremony will begin at 9 a.m. and is expected to last an hour. There will be goodie bags available for dogs and food and drinks for their owners.

Friendship Park is located on the south side of McDowell Road, just west of Avondale Boulevard.

Details of new pickleball complex at Friendship Park in Avondale

The new pickleball courts will be lit, allowing play during the day and at night. There will also be shaded seating and sidewalks between the courts.

The construction cost $1.44 million.

Additionally, Avondale’s recreational pickleball leagues will begin playing at the new complex next month.

Details of renovated dog park at Friendship Park in Avondale

The $1.33 million dog park renovation included new canopies, benches, drinking fountains and updated irrigation to make the park more comfortable and usable year-round.

The entrance to the park was redesigned and a public art installation was added, as well.

The pickleball facility and dog park renovations were designed by North Carolina-based planning and design firm Kimley-Horn and constructed by Gilbert-based Hunter Contracting.