Fairfax Pickleball Players Seek Legal Action: Pickleball players in Broyhill Crest are getting ready for a legal battle following the controversial decision by the Park Authority to convert Kendale Woods courts exclusively for tennis. Despite the Park Authority’s re-lining of the courts, tensions persist as pickleball enthusiasts argue the move disregards established guidelines.
Sarah Wysocki, a vocal advocate among the pickleball community, has raised pointed questions about the decision-making process.
“This seems like it should be simple enough to answer, yet nobody can provide any insight into this” – (sarah wysocki)
“Why was taking something of value away from the community such a high priority for FCPA? When is it okay to go against the wishes of an entire community because of one person? Is it okay for someone who has publicly stated that making one person listen to pickleball noise is unethical to be running FCPA,A one-person stance on anything is dangerous and a mighty slippery slope and certainly shouldn’t be dictating decisions for communities.” – (sarah wysocki)
Supervisor Andres Jimenez has scheduled a meeting with the pickleball group, following earlier doubt due to ongoing litigation and the Park Authority’s autonomous governance. Initially hesitant, Jimenez’s recent outreach reflects heightened community interest and media scrutiny, Jimenez of Mason has arranged a meeting with the pickleball players on July 18th at 1:30 p.m.
Subsequently, as the pickleball controversy garnered attention from various news outlets, including the London-based Daily Mail, Supervisor Jimenez appeared to reverse his stance. His staff sent an email inviting the pickleball players to his office on Thursday, expressing that “The Supervisor hopes we can schedule a meeting sooner rather than later given the importance of the matter and it being a priority of his,” according to the message.
“There seems to be a desire to turn our court battle into a tennis vs. pickleball squabble, which has never been the case.”-(wysocki)
Wysocki disputes the media’s claims of multiple noise complaints. “That is inaccurate.” she says. One noise complaint was filed in 2022, “and that was enough for FCPA to bypass all guidelines and established policies and work at Mach speed to convert our shared use space to tennis only.”
The Park Authority repainted the Kendale Woods courts for pickleball without first establishing guidelines that recommend pickleball courts should be at least 250 feet away from residential homes. Additionally, other courts besides those at Kendale Woods might also face conversion to tennis-only facilities.
In a February presentation titled “Sport Court Updates” to the Park Authority Board, FCPA highlighted that there are 17 parks in the county where pickleball courts are situated less than 250 feet from residential areas. These parks include Roundtree, Spring Lane, and Lillian Carey in the Mason District, along with Kendale Woods Park.
“Existing pickleball that is within 250 feet from residential properties shall remain, provided there are no noise complaints. Should there be noise complaints, sound mitigation measures should be considered or the pickleball moved to a more appropriate park.” – (report)
News in Brief: Fairfax Pickleball Players Seek Legal Action
In Fairfax County, pickleball players in Broyhill Crest are getting ready for legal action after the Park Authority’s decision to convert Kendale Woods courts exclusively for tennis sparked controversy. Sarah Wysocki, a prominent advocate, questions the decision’s prioritization and community impact, highlighting concerns in a petition.
Supervisor Andres Jimenez initially hesitated but scheduled a meeting following community pressure and media attention. Wysocki conflicts with media claims of multiple noise complaints, clarifying only one complaint in 2022 prompted the court conversion. The Park Authority’s guidelines suggest relocating pickleball courts further from residential areas to mitigate noise concerns.
Also Read- Community Clash Over Pickleball Courts in Fairfax County
