Our summer camps are heading out to the Danny Cunniff Pickleball Complex to break the World Record for the largest pickleball lesson ever!!!! The Park District of Highland Park is teaming up with Mark Miller’s Munchkin Programs and the Chicago Slice professional pickleball team for this historic event. The public is invited to watch the event and encouraged to bring a bag chair.
This year’s lesson is expected to surpass Miller’s world record of 300 pickleball lesson participants set in 2023 in Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2024, Miller set a record for The World’s Largest Tennis Lesson, gathering 400 kids. The Chicago Slice professional pickleball team has graciously offer to donate paddles for the event.
“The Park District is excited to be a part of this historic event to break a world record and promote youth involvement in the game of pickleball,” said Nick Baird, Director of Recreation for the Park District of Highland Park. “We are seeing a huge increase in youth and young adult participation in our own pickleball lessons and programs. Pickleball is a great sport for kids because it is a fun, active game that promotes fitness, coordination, and teamwork.”
Mark Miller’s Munchkin Programs continue to set new standards in youth sports education. After 18 years of coaching tennis to kids in Chicago, Miller shifted his attention to pickleball. The Mark Miller Munchkin Program helps children learn a sport from a lifelong coach with a curriculum that promotes socialization, self-esteem, anti-bullying and nutrition. Munchkin lessons were developed to be simple enough that parents can teach them at home, implementing a “Parent and Me” strategy. The programs have generated extensive media coverage on ABC, CBS, NBC, WGN TV, CNN and CLTV, and has been featured in USTA Magazine, Racquet Magazine, Small Business Opportunities, and Homebased Business Magazine.
“The Chicago Slice is thrilled to partner with both the Park District of Highland Park and Mark Miller’s youth programs for this one-of-a-kind event. Supporting initiatives that get kids on the court, learning the game, and building confidence through sprot is a key part of our mission to elevate pickleball – and we are proud to help grow the next generation of players right here in the Chicago-area,” said Maddie Moeke, COO, Chicago Slice.
The Park District of Highland Park has 24 outdoor pickleball courts located at various parks. The Danny Cunniff Pickleball Complex includes 16 courts and is home to the Association of Pickleball Players – Chicago Open Tournament. In August 2025, the Park District will open Club Pickle & Padel, a new 50,000 square foot indoor facility featuring ten pickleball and four padel courts. Club Pickle and Padel memberships are on sale now.