LIPA became an official 501(c)3 organization in 2017, but their true beginning goes back to May of 2011 when Tom Plummer and five friends (Joe Yuill, Dick Wiegand, Max Fitzgerald, Vern Mayrose, and Jim Ciccarelli) met at Armstrong Park and played Pickleball with homemade paddles composed of cutoff old tennis racket handles and pieces of plywood.

People saw them playing and joined in the fun.  They had 18 members by the end of winter.   The first woman to join the group was Beverly Morgan, followed by Vicky and Tom Albitz.  Mack Lusk joined the group and volunteered to be the USAPA Ambassador for the area.

During that winter they petitioned the Lafayette Parks Department to have permanent lines painted on the tennis courts at McCaw Park.

The following spring saw Pickleball as a new addition in the Area IV Senior Games.  

Since then, we have laid down pickleball lines at several places around Lafayette:  Armstrong Park, Shadeland Recreation Center, Wea Recreation Center, McCaw Park, Lyn Treece Boys & Girls Club, the ice rink at the Riverside Skating Center, Faith West and East, and the YWCA.  

Some lines were permanent, but most were temporary either chalk washed away by the rain or tape pulled up at the end of a session.  Today we have 12 permanent dedicated Pickleball courts at McCaw Park.

LIPA continues to grow and help people discover the physical and social benefits of Pickleball.  Just remember, we all start as beginners!  

All you need to play is the willingness to learn and have fun!