Toledo Pickle to Unveil Potentially World’s Largest
Pickleball Sculpture Along Glass City Riverwalk

Daily Dose  |  08/12/2026 11:30 am

Something big is coming to Toledo’s riverfront, potentially record-breaking big.

On Thursday, August 13 at 10 a.m., Toledo Pickle and Metroparks Toledo will unveil a pickleball sculpture along the Glass City Riverwalk. The sculpture is believed to potentially be the largest pickleball in the world, creating a new public art landmark along Toledo’s riverfront.

The project is part of local artist Dean Davis’ 100 Works of Art initiative, an effort to bring 100 works of public art throughout the Greater Toledo area and create an open-air art experience for residents and visitors.

The sculpture will also become part of the growing riverfront experience. The pickleball will sit on Metroparks Toledo property near Toledo Pickle and will ultimately be incorporated into the Glass City Riverwalk. Metroparks Toledo also played an important role in preparing the site for the sculpture, including preparing the property’s former rail trestle to support the installation.

“Pickleball is obviously at the heart of what we do, so we wanted to create something that was fun, unexpected and unmistakably Toledo Pickle,” said Mike Gibbons, owner of Toledo Pickle. “Having what could be the largest pickleball in the world right here on the riverfront gives people another reason to stop, take a photo and experience this part of Toledo."

“It’s another fun element to add to our developing riverfront,” said Matt Killam, chief outreach officer at Metroparks Toledo. “It seems fitting to have the world’s largest pickleball on America’s best Riverwalk.”

Bringing a sculpture of this scale to life has been a collaborative effort. Dean Ball and Toledo Custom Fiberglass were instrumental in the construction of the sphere that serves as the foundation of the pickleball sculpture. Their fabrication work helped transform the concept into a large-scale piece capable of becoming a permanent riverfront landmark.

For Davis, the project represents exactly what he hopes to accomplish through 100 Works of Art: creating unexpected pieces that encourage people to explore Greater Toledo while adding to the identity of the places where they are located.

“100 Works of Art is about creating pieces that make people stop, look and experience a place differently,” said Dean Davis, local artist and founder of the 100 Works of Art initiative. “This project took a team to make happen. Toledo Pickle embraced the idea, Metroparks Toledo helped prepare the site, and Dean Ball and Toledo Custom Fiberglass brought the massive sphere to life. That collaboration is what public art is all about. Now we get to give Toledo something fun, memorable and completely unexpected along the riverfront.”

Members of the media and community are invited to attend the unveiling.