🍪🏓 Cookies N Courts: Lilac Park & CR Chicks!

South Florida pickleballers and snack lovers - we’re back! This month on Cookies N Courts, we hit up Lilac Park Pickleball Courts in Palm Beach Gardens and chased our games with a gooey, giant cookie from CR Chicks. Because what’s pickleball without a post-game sugar rush, right?

If you’re hunting for the best pickleball courts in Palm Beach Gardens and the ultimate cookie spot nearby, we got you covered!

Lilac Park Pickleball Courts Review

Lilac Park Pickleball Courts is one of the newest and most popular spots for players of all levels. With 24 lighted outdoor courts, shaded seating, and no wait times, it’s a favorite for locals and visitors chasing the perfect pickleball match in South Florida. Here’s our full breakdown of what to expect when you play at Lilac Park.

Address: 
4125 Lilac St, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410 

HOURS:
Sunday: 07:30 AM–09:30 PM
Monday: 07:30 AM–09:30 PM
Tuesday: 07:30 AM–09:30 PM
Wednesday:07:30 AM–09:30 PM
Thursday: 07:30 AM–09:30 PM
Friday: 07:30 AM–09:30 PM
Saturday: 07:30 AM–09:30 PM

Price:  

Fees (Enforced during Managed Hours)*

Resident discounts are available exclusively to incorporated Palm Beach Gardens residents. If you purchase a resident pass online, you’ll need to stop by the Lilac Park Pickleball Courts concession stand for a photo and to verify your residency with a valid, incorporated Palm Beach Gardens driver’s license.

Good news for pickleball lovers... during non-managed hours, Lilac Park Pickleball Courts are open to the public for free.

Here’s a quick look at the Lilac MANAGED Park Pickleball Courts hours:

• November–April

•  Weekdays: 7:30 AM–9:30 PM

• Weekends: 7:30 AM–8:00 PM

• May–October

•  Weekdays: 7:30 AM–11:00 AM & 5:00 PM–9:30 PM

•  Weekends: 7:30 AM–11:30 AM 

Parking:
Free, convenient parking lot steps from the courts.

Courts:
24 outdoor pickleball courts, open to the public.

Paddle System:
The courts have a traditional paddle rack system available, but with so many open courts, it’s rarely enforced. That means you might find yourself playing back-to-back games with your new pickleball besties all night long. Great if you’ve got a group, but it can be tricky to jump into a game if you’re solo or without a partner.

Court colors: 
Classic pickleball blue and green combo

Court Condition:
Built in January 2024, courts are in solid shape with a smooth surface and consistent bounce.

Surface Material:
Standard

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

Net Condition:
Reliable - good tension and proper height across all courts.

Seating:
Lots of benches with big, shady umbrellas to keep you cool between games.

Safety Features:
A fully fenced-in layout, and a drinking fountain for refills. Bonus: bathrooms on-site.

Cleanliness:
Clean and new with bathroom on-site.

Lighting:
Every court is equipped with sports lighting, making it a great spot for evening pickleball play.

Wind Guards:
Wind guards are up, but the low fencing doesn’t block much… so if it’s a windy day, expect some wild shots (or maybe just head back home).

Indoor or Outdoor?
100% Outdoor but plenty of shade!

Are lessons offered?
Currently no lessons or league play offered. Occasional events and tournaments pop up, but require an advance request to participate.

Type of Play:
A welcoming mix of all skill levels - from beginners to seasoned pickleball addicts. Weekday evenings tend to be quiet, while weekend mornings are packed and lively. Thanks to the abundance of courts, you’ll never wait long for a game… but without a strict paddle system, it can be a little cliquey with groups sticking together.

What are the people like?
Friendly and laid-back. Great for casual play or finding a new doubles partner.

Overall Rating:
⭐ 7 out of 10
Solid courts with great lighting and no wait times. However, the constant wind makes play tricky (some days it’s borderline unplayable), and the higher price point stings a bit for a public facility. Plus, with no paddle system in use and tons of open courts, it can be tough to jump into games if you show up solo without a group or partner.

🍪 Cookie Time: CR Chicks 

Because pickleball is cardio… we deserve cookies. If you’re searching for the best cookies in Palm Beach Gardens, look no further than CR Chicks on Northlake Blvd. Known for their giant, gooey, palm-sized cookies packed with brown sugar and buttery goodness, it’s the ultimate post-pickleball snack. Here’s why this local spot made our cookie hall of fame.

Address:
Good news for cookie lovers, there are TWO CR Chicks locations minutes from Lilac Pickleball Courts for your post-game cookie fix:

•  C.R. Chicks Northlake: 4234 Northlake Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
• C.R. Chicks PGA Blvd: 2582 PGA Blvd, Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410

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

Price:
Only $2.44 (with tax) - an absolute steal for a cookie this good.

Size:
Massive, palm-sized treat you’ll need two hands for.

Taste:
Rich, buttery, and loaded with deep brown sugar flavor in every bite. 

Texture:
Gooey and soft on the inside, with a perfectly crispy, golden edge. 

Creativity:
Classic in style, but stands out with its fresh-baked, rich buttery taste and generous size. 

Balance:
Bite-sized round chocolate chips.

Round or Flat?
Flat.

Crunchy or Chewy?
Chewy on inside, hard on outside.

Overall Rating:
🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪🍪 10 out of 10

A must-try for any cookie lover in Palm Beach Gardens! Pro Tip: Pick one up post-pickleball match for the ultimate snack reward.

Shake N Bake’s Rating Recap:

Final Serve 🏓🍪

If you’re in Palm Beach Gardens craving pickleball and a top-tier cookie, Lilac Park’s courts and CR Chicks’ giant cookie are a match made in heaven. Sure, the wind and price might dink a few points off the court rating, but trust us - that cookie alone is worth the trip.

Got a favorite South Florida pickleball court and cookie combo Slide into our DMs at @snbPickleball or email Joseph@snbpickleball.com — we might feature your pick next!