McLean Pickleball Community Mobilizes: Pickleball players in the McLean area could soon see a reduction in available courts, as the Fairfax County Park Authority (FCPA) considers removing or relocating facilities at two local parks. The courts at Linway Terrace Park in McLean and Westgate Park in Tysons are both under review.
The FCPA has made it clear that no immediate changes are set for either park, according to spokesperson Benjamin Boxer, who told FFXnow that the changes are not imminent. However, the possibility of losing the courts has sparked concern among local pickleball and tennis enthusiasts.
Petition Launched in Response to Proposed Changes
The potential removal of the Westgate Park courts has prompted a petition from the Westgate Pickleball Club. The club argues for a more comprehensive neighborhood outreach process before any action is taken. With over 300 members at McLean High School’s pickleball club, Susan Zehnder, the organizer of the petition, stressed the sport’s growing popularity in the region. Despite the petition only gathering 334 signatures as of press time, Zehnder’s group believes that losing the Linway Terrace and Westgate courts would leave local players scrambling for space at Lewinsville and McLean Central Parks.
The club’s appeal also highlights the role these courts have played in the community, particularly during the pandemic when pickleball became a source of social connection. “Losing the Linway courts and the Westgate courts would mean all local pickleball players would be left competing for limited courts at Lewinsville and McLean Central Parks,” the Friends of Westgate Park Pickleball wrote in their petition.
Proposed Changes Not Aligned with Growing Pickleball Demand
In 2014, a Tysons Park System Concept Plan proposed replacing the Westgate courts with a rectangular field for additional baseball facilities. But with the rise in popularity of pickleball over the past decade, the Westgate Pickleball Club argues that replacing the courts is no longer justifiable. The park authority’s own study, conducted in 2021, estimated that Fairfax County has 12,881 pickleball players compared to 83,141 tennis players, underscoring the growing demand for pickleball facilities.
FCPA staff emphasized that any significant changes at Westgate would require public input and revisions to the park’s master plan. According to Boxer, this process remains ongoing, and no major decisions will be made until it is revisited.
Noise Concerns and Court Relocation at Linway Terrace
While Westgate’s courts face uncertainty, the case for relocating the courts at Linway Terrace Park appears more urgent. The courts are within 200 feet of residential properties, a proximity that has raised noise concerns. In response, the FCPA has introduced new guidelines that restrict pickleball courts from being within 200 feet of residential buildings. Relocation or restriping of the courts is being considered, though no immediate changes are expected, according to Boxer.
This change in policy comes on the heels of controversy in Annandale earlier this year, when the closure of pickleball courts at Kendale Woods Park prompted protests and legal action. Despite these setbacks, the FCPA is moving forward with plans to expand pickleball facilities in the county, with new courts planned for Annandale’s Mason District Park and Wakefield Park in the coming months.
FCPA’s Commitment to Expanding Pickleball Facilities
The FCPA has made strides to increase the county’s pickleball capacity, expanding from 28 courts in 2021 to 88 courts by 2024. However, Boxer pointed out that the agency also faces the challenge of balancing this growth with other recreational needs, such as futsal courts. The FCPA remains committed to providing equitable access to pickleball play across the county, but it is clear that changes are on the horizon for the McLean area.
News in Brief: McLean Pickleball Community Mobilizes
The Fairfax County Park Authority is considering the removal of tennis and pickleball courts at Linway Terrace Park and Westgate Park in the McLean area. While no immediate changes are planned, the potential loss of these courts has sparked concern among local pickleball players. A petition calling for further neighborhood outreach and the preservation of these courts has gained attention, especially as pickleball continues to grow in popularity. The park authority is exploring options for relocating the courts, especially at Linway Terrace, due to noise concerns from nearby residences.
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