Evanston Pickleball Courts: Evanston tennis players gathered at the civic center on Wednesday evening, expressing a clear preference for dedicated pickleball courts rather than shared spaces. While many were excited about the possibility of new pickleball courts at Mason Park, opinions varied on how to best integrate the sport into the community’s existing facilities.
Growing Demand for Pickleball
For nearly a year, the Evanston Parks and Recreation Department has been evaluating potential locations to accommodate the rising demand for pickleball. Throughout August and September, the department engaged with neighbors near prospective sites, aiming to address community concerns. Parks and Rec Director Audrey Thompson met with pickleball enthusiasts on Monday and tennis players the following Wednesday, seeking input on future plans.
During the tennis meeting, Thompson discussed various options, including double-striping existing courts and converting other facilities for pickleball use. Notably, there was a proposal to transform a basketball court at Chandler-Newberger Center into a pickleball venue. However, a suggestion to convert the court at James Park was met with disapproval from the attendees.
Evaluating Existing Facilities
In her presentation, Thompson highlighted four sites under consideration: Ackerman Park, Cartwright Park, Mason Park, and Burnham Shores. Each location presented distinct advantages and challenges, especially regarding amenities such as restrooms and parking.
At Ackerman Park, neighbors viewed the site favorably due to its restroom access and potential to attract more visitors to the Central Street corridor. However, concerns about traffic congestion and noise mitigation were raised. Cartwright Park, although a candidate for renovations next year, faced criticism for its lack of restrooms and adequate lighting, with attendees worried about sound levels affecting nearby residents.
Burnham Shores offered some advantages, such as proximity to facilities, but recent court resurfacing and lake wind were cited as drawbacks. Mason Park, on the other hand, stood out as the only site with enough space for new courts, though it also had issues like inadequate lighting.
Proposed New Courts
Parks and Rec is weighing a fifth option: converting the underutilized Chandler basketball court into a pickleball venue. Additionally, Thompson mentioned a proposal from pickleball players to create a court at James Park, where existing tennis courts could potentially be transformed into up to 24 pickleball courts.
Thompson expressed the department’s goal of establishing eight new courts overall, whether at a single site or across multiple locations. This approach aims to balance community needs while generating revenue without overloading any one area with too many pickleball courts.
Voices from the Community
Regina Wootton, a vocal tennis player, emphasized her desire for separate pickleball courts, stating that double-striping disrupts gameplay, especially when calling serves. “I just want to see dedicated pickleball courts and remove the double-striping,” she asserted.
Conversely, Sara Marberry, who plays both sports, acknowledged noise concerns from the sport’s early days but noted the advancements in paddle technology. “I’m not saying it’s not noisy, but it’s different. It’s not that clickety-clack,” she explained.
As discussions unfolded, a consensus began to form around one of the Mason Park proposals, while skepticism lingered regarding the James Park option.
Thompson remains optimistic about finding a suitable plan for the community. “I don’t like hearing that people have to go to other places to play pickleball,” she said. “I do know that we’re behind other communities, but I say we’re going to learn from the mistakes we made and make a better pickleball center somewhere.”
News in Brief: Evanston Pickleball Courts
Evanston tennis players voiced their preferences for dedicated pickleball courts during a civic center meeting, expressing concerns about integrating the sport into existing tennis facilities. Parks and Rec Director Audrey Thompson discussed potential sites for new courts, including Ackerman Park and Mason Park, while also considering converting basketball and tennis courts.
Community feedback was mixed, with some favoring dedicated pickleball spaces. Thompson aims to develop eight new courts to enhance local play and address growing demand. A joint meeting for both tennis and pickleball representatives is scheduled for Monday.
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