🍪🏓 Cookies N Courts: Howard Park & Restoration Hardware!

Welcome to the very first installment of Cookies N Courts - your new favorite excuse to play pickleball, crush some calories, then enjoy the best nearby cookie snack. Here at Shake N Bake Pickleball, we believe life is all about balance. And guess what? We’re not just here to play - we’re here to rate them too. We’re officially on a mission: one local court + one local cookie = one deliciously honest review. Every month, we’ll be dropping into a new pickleball court in South Florida, pairing it with a local cookie spot, and giving you the sweet and savory lowdown.

Court Review: Howard Park Tennis & Pickleball Center

Nestled in sunny West Palm Beach in a family-friendly park and surrounded by palm trees and potential, Howard Park looked promising for our opening serve. So, how did it stack up?

   
Address:  
1101 Lake Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33401  View Map

WHAT YEAR WAS IT BUILT?
2025

HOURS:
Sunday: 07:00 AM–06:00 PM
Monday: 07:00 AM–08:00 PM
Tuesday: 07:00 AM–08:00 PM
Wednesday: 07:00 AM–08:00 PM
Thursday: 07:00 AM–08:00 PM
Friday: 07:00 AM–06:00 PM
Saturday: 07:00 AM–06:00 PM

Price:
$5 (Palm Beach residents) / $10 (non-residents) day fee
$75/YR Palm Beach residents age 19+
$50/YR Palm Beach residents age younger than 19

Parking:
Plenty, and free with a front and back lot located in a beautiful park. 

Courts:
4 pickleball courts.

Paddle System:
No paddle system. 

Court colors:
Classic blue & green

Court Condition:
Very good, with a few battle scars.

Surface Material:
Standard

Dimensions:
Standard  (4 ft x 40 ft for playing area)

Net Condition:
Very good - no holes or tears with standard net height and tension. 

Seating:
There is 4 shaded benches for pep talks and side-eyeing your opponents.

Safety Features: 
The court is surrounded by a tall fence. There is shaded areas and barriers separating the pickleball and tennis courts from each other.

Cleanliness:
Clean, good new condition. 

Lighting:
Yes, night play, baby!

Wind Guards:
Yes - so your lob doesn’t end up in Fort Lauderdale.

Indoor or Outdoor? 
Outdoor 

Are lessons offered? 
Yes and tourneys.

Type of Play:
Recreational play and open play. All players must check in at the Welcome Center upon arrival. Court reservations are not available in advance, but you must reserve a court on-site. After checking in and paying, you’ll have the court for 1.5 hours of play. If you want more high-level competive games you should come with your own crew. 

The Vibe:
Let’s just say... it’s BYOF. (Bring Your Own Friends) Not the spot for solo riders hoping to jump into a friendly game - but if you roll in with your squad of 4, you’re golden. However, you may get lucky and find a few people open to rotating you in games.   

What are the people like?
Not really friendly for open play, it is better to come with people to play.

Overall Rating:

⭐ 6 out of 10
We love you Howard Park, but this one’s a tough love kind of score. Let’s be honest. It’s clean, lit, and functional - but It’s the kind of spot where you can get a solid rally in if you bring your squad. 

The Not-So-Sweet:

• Only 4 courts, so if you’re flying solo or it’s a busy day, expect a wait.

• No paddle system = potential court drama.

• The court reservation system is day-of and a bit clunky.

That said, it’s a newer spot (opened February 2025) and things are still getting ironed out. Once the kinks are fixed, it could be a much smoother experience!

🍪 Cookie Time: Restoration Hardware's RH Rooftop Chocolate Chip Cookie 

After you’ve sweated out your soul, it’s cookie time. And let us tell you - the RH Rooftop Restaurant chocolate chip cookie is nothing short of luxurious, chewy, salty-sweet heaven. RH cookies are celebrated for their soft, chewy texture. They are rich in chocolate flavor, often utilizing high-quality, self-chopped chocolate bars for a distinct taste. So, how did it stack up?

This cookie. OMG.

Address:
560 Okeechobee Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33401

Hours:
Sunday: 10 AM–8 PM
Monday: 11:30 AM–8 PM
Tuesday: 11:30 AM–8 PM
Wednesday: 11:30 AM–8 PM
Thursday: 11:30 AM–8 PM
Friday: 11:30 AM–9 PM
Saturday: 10 AM–9 PM

Price:
$4 + tax

Size:
Generously palm-sized - none of that quarter-sized nonsense.

Taste:
Deep brown butter making it have a caramel aftertaste, bittersweet chocolate chunks, with a perfect sea salt sprinkle.

Texture: Crispy edges, ooey-gooey middle. 

Creativity:
Always fresh, always served warm with a luxury feel. 

Balance:
Sweet, salty, buttery perfection. Perfect amount of chocolate to dough ratio. 

Round or Flat? 
Flat

Crunchy or Chewy?
Both - extremely chewy melted chocolate center with a hardened brown sugar outside rim. Crispy on outside, very gooey chocolate center.

Overall Rating:
🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 10 out of 10
Yes, we’re giving our very first cookie a perfect score. And no, we’re not sorry. It’s that good. 

 Shake N Bake’s Rating Recap:

Final Serve:
Not every court can be a winner, but every cookie can be. If you’re looking for a casual pickleball day in West Palm Beach with your own group, Howard Park works. But let’s be honest - this month’s MVP was the cookie.

Stay tuned next month as we hit another court, taste another cookie, and tell you exactly where to play and where to snack in South Florida.

Want us to hit your favorite court and cookie combo next? Direct message @snbPickleball or send us an email at Joseph@snbpickleball.com.