Mishawaka residents stay active despite winter weather

MISHAWAKA, Ind. -- Even as snow settles into Michiana, residents are finding ways to stay active — and connected — through one of the fastest-growing sports in the country: pickleball.

Pickleball has surged in popularity nationwide, and locally, courts continue to pop up across the region. One of those locations, H2 Pickleball in Mishawaka, hosted Connect 574’s pickleball social Sunday, giving players of all ages a chance to stay warm, socialize and remain active indoors.

“Honestly, I came in here only knowing like one person, and after about a year of doing this, I’m friends with at least 30 or 40 people we play with,” said Benjamin Wood, who regularly plays at the complex.

H2 Pickleball describes itself as an all-inclusive pickleball experience, welcoming players of all skill levels. Its indoor courts allow both seasoned competitors and beginners to play on turf without dealing with snow or freezing temperatures.

“Usually in winter, we get much larger groups,” said Hardik Patel.

Connect 574 is a local group focused on building community through social gatherings and recreational activities.

Founder Matthew Sheldon said the idea for Connect 574 came after moving back to the area from college and struggling to meet new people.

“When I moved back, I kind of felt it was hard to meet new people,” Sheldon said.

Since then, the group has hosted a variety of events, with pickleball consistently drawing some of the largest turnouts.

“We’ve got a lot of interest in our pickleball events,” Sheldon said. “They’re usually our most well-attended. It’s a good sport and welcoming to new folks.”

Organizers say the goal is to create a space where people can stay active and social, regardless of age, experience or the weather outside.

Connect 574 is also recruiting participants for its social sports leagues, including pickleball.