Menlo Park's public scene runs through two neighborhood parks: Kelly Park, where half the courts are reservable, and Nealon Park, drop-in only and reportedly the busier of the two. Eight courts total. Burgess Park — which the city discussed converting in 2023 — still isn't one of them.
Courts #1–2 are reservable ($10/hr residents, $15/hr non-residents for recreational play; $25/hr for commercial use or instruction); courts #3–4 are drop-in only. City policy guarantees at least half of every court site stays first-come-first-served, so there's always a walk-on option.
Book a court →All four courts are walk-on only — no reservations, which is reportedly why it's the more popular of Menlo Park's two parks. Good for casual, beginner-leaning morning play if you don't mind a wait at peak times.
What happened to Burgess Park
Burgess Park (425 Burgess Drive) still has no pickleball, just two tennis courts. A 2023 proposal to convert its basketball court into up to three pickleball areas stalled after commissioners objected to losing a court heavily used by local kids and teens. A separate plan for two new courts at Willow Oaks Park surfaced in a March 2024 council discussion, estimated at 12–36 months out — but the park's city page still lists only soccer, tennis, and a dog area. Neither project has broken ground.
Sources: City of Menlo Park — Pickleball and Tennis · Almanac News — court demand reporting · Almanac News — Willow Oaks Park proposal. Verified July 2026 — always confirm hours and reservation rules before a special trip.
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