Courts and play areasBackyard pickleball and sport courts in St. George, UT
True Turf builds backyard sports courts for pickleball and basketball, plus turf play areas. A regulation pickleball court is 20 by 44 feet1, so plan for that and room to move around it. St. George's average July high is 101.6°F5, so placement and play times matter. Call (435) 660-6207 to set up a free visit.
Last updated · Reviewed by Tate Strickland
Projects are built by True Landscaping & Construction, LLC (dba True Turf). South Utah Turf is an advertising and referral service, not a contractor. How this works
Options
Court and play options
Start with what you'll play most and how much flat space you have. The free visit is the time to measure. For a whole-yard plan around the court, see landscape design.
Pickleball court
When it fits: Players who want a regulation game at home.
A regulation court is 20 feet wide and 44 feet long, with a non-volley zone that runs 7 feet from the net on each side1.
Basketball shooting area
When it fits: Kids and teens who shoot hoops.
Ask True Turf how much flat space your yard can give a hoop, and how the surface will drain.
Multi-use court
When it fits: Families who want more than one game in one space.
Lines for more than one sport can share a court surface, so plan the layout before the base is built.
Turf play area
When it fits: Play sets and open running space.
Artificial turf gets hot in full sun, so plan shade. Ask about playground pads under swings and play sets.
In-ground trampoline
When it fits: Families set on having a trampoline.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises against home trampolines. If you add one anyway, it says to set the jumping surface as close to the ground as possible and keep kids under 6 off it2.
Cost
What backyard courts cost
We didn't find published St. George prices for backyard courts when we checked in October 2026, so your number comes from True Turf's free on-site visit. For turf pricing, see the turf cost guide.
| Item | Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Turf for play areas, installed | $8 to $15 per sq ft | A St. George turf cost guide's published range3 |
| True Turf's minimum job | $3,000 | The smallest project True Turf takes |
Prices last reviewed October 2026. See the full turf cost guide.
What moves the price
- Court size: the regulation pickleball court alone is 20 by 44 feet, or 880 square feet, before any space around it1
- Grading and base work for a flat surface that drains
- Breaking through caliche on some lots4
- The court surface and finish you choose
- Hoops, nets and other add-ons
- Access for equipment and materials
How a project works
How a court project works
- 1
Call or send a request
Call (435) 660-6207 or use the form. True Turf calls back within 30 minutes during business hours.
- 2
Free on-site consultation
True Turf measures the space, checks slope, sun angle and drainage, and asks what you'll play. There's no obligation.
- 3
A recommendation and a price
You get a recommendation for the court or play area, its surface and its layout, plus a price for the job.
- 4
Base and drainage first
True Turf grades the area and builds a compacted base with drainage before the court surface or turf goes in.
- 5
Install and final walkthrough
The surface goes down and the court is finished, then True Turf walks it with you.
Local conditions
Local facts for courts and play areas
Sun, heat and hard ground decide where a court goes here and when it's comfortable to use.
Hot afternoons
St. George's average July high is 101.6°F5, and synthetic surfaces get hottest on sunny, low-humidity days from noon to 3 PM6. Mornings and evenings are the comfortable times to play.
Turf heat limits
In sun, synthetic turf generally runs 35 to 55°F hotter than natural grass6. Penn State's summary notes a BYU guideline: no use above 120°F6. See how hot turf gets before you choose a play surface.
Face the court north and south
USA Pickleball says outdoor courts should run north to south, so players aren't looking into a low morning or late-afternoon sun1.
Hard ground under a flat court
Caliche is present across virtually all of Washington County, and the most common layers in St. George yards are 4 to 12 inches thick and often need a hydraulic breaker4. A level court on that ground takes real grading work.
Utility marks before the dig
A court means digging, and Utah law requires notice to underground utility owners at least 48 hours before excavation starts7. Blue Stakes of Utah 811 handles those requests for free8.
Real projects
Projects by True Turf
Turf sample
Turf with thatch
Turf lawn and fire pit
How much room does a backyard pickleball court need?
More than the lines. A regulation court is 20 by 44 feet1, and players need space past the lines to move and reach balls. The court's direction matters too, since USA Pickleball says outdoor courts should run north to south1. True Turf measures your space at the free on-site visit and tells you what fits.
Are in-ground trampolines safe for kids?
The American Academy of Pediatrics says kids should stay off trampolines, and children under 6 should never jump2. If you add one anyway, its tips include no flips and a jumping surface as close to the ground as possible. Keep it away from walls, trees and other play areas, and check your homeowner's insurance2.
Will a court or turf play area get too hot to use?
On July afternoons, it can. St. George averages a 101.6°F high in July5, and turf can run 35 to 55°F hotter than grass in sun6. A hose cools turf for only a few minutes6, so plan play for mornings and evenings and put shade where kids will rest.
Does a turf play area qualify for the water rebate?
Not on its own. The district treats permeable turf only as mulch inside a conversion with 50% living plant cover at maturity and drip irrigation9. Check eligibility with the district before you start; pre-approval is required before any grass comes out. See the rebate guide for what does qualify.
What goes under a turf play area?
A compacted base that drains, like any turf area True Turf builds. Their FAQ says pet areas get at least 4 inches of compacted base, so ask what base depth they use for a play area. Ask about playground pads under swings and play sets, too, and plan them before the base goes in.
Areas served
Where the installer works
St. George area: St. George, Washington, Santa Clara, Ivins.
Hurricane Valley and the Zion corridor: Hurricane, La Verkin, Toquerville, Leeds, Virgin, Rockville, Springdale, Apple Valley, Hildale.
North county: Dammeron Valley, Veyo, Central, Pine Valley, Enterprise, New Harmony.
Cedar City and Enoch: Cedar City, Enoch.
Next step
Plan a backyard court or play area
Projects start at $3,000. Call or send the form, and True Turf calls you back within 30 minutes during business hours.
Call the installer(435) 660-6207Projects are built by True Landscaping & Construction, LLC (dba True Turf). South Utah Turf is an advertising and referral service, not a contractor. How this works
Sources and checked dates
- USA Pickleball: Court construction and dimensions usapickleball.org, checked October 2026
- HealthyChildren.org (American Academy of Pediatrics): Are Trampolines Safe for Kids? healthychildren.org, checked October 2026
- Rock N Block Turf N Hardscapes: How Much Does Artificial Turf Cost in St. George, Utah? rocknblocklandscape.com, checked October 2026
- Beehive Rental & Sales: Digging in Southern Utah, How to Break Through Caliche, Red Clay, and Desert Hardpan beehiverentalandsales.com, checked October 2026
- Western Regional Climate Center: St. George, Utah (427516) monthly climate summary wrcc.dri.edu, checked October 2026
- Penn State Center for Sports Surface Research: Surface Temperature of Synthetic Turf (PDF) plantscience.psu.edu, checked October 2026
- Utah Legislature: Utah Code 54-8a-4, Notice of excavation le.utah.gov, checked October 2026
- Blue Stakes of Utah 811: The 811 process bluestakes.org, checked October 2026
- Washington County Water Conservancy District: Water Efficient Landscape Program Agreement wcwcd.gov, checked October 2026