Pickleball Debate Heats Up In Hudson: Clash of Courts

At the heart of the controversy is Washington Park in Union City, where a recent dispute erupted on change.org. It all started when Mikey Chee, a newcomer to pickleball and resident of Jersey City Heights, proposed converting two of the park’s nine tennis courts into pickleball courts during specific hours.

“I just figured, ‘Hey, wouldn’t it be great if it was mixed use,’” Mikey Chee explained , the Jersey City Heights resident behind the original pickleball petition. “It would be amazing if we could at certain hours convert it into pickleball and after that convert it back to tennis.”

However, Chee quickly discovered that online disputes rarely remain civil. The debate spilled over to global Reddit forums, where insults and profanity marred what began as a civil disagreement. “Pickleball players are dorks,” one Reddit user bluntly stated, reflecting the escalating tensions.

Pickleball’s rapid rise as America’s fastest-growing sport is well-documented, and Hudson County has been no exception. In response to heightened demand, new courts have sprung up across county and municipal parks since the pandemic began, yet players continue to advocate for more.

Reactions and Future Considerations

Mark Cygan, spokesperson for the county, clarified that all tennis courts at Washington Park will remain dedicated exclusively to tennis. “Washington Park is one of the smaller parks in the county, so it’s difficult to add any additional infrastructure to the park,” Cygan explained, underscoring the county’s stance.

While Chee views the county’s decision as a setback, proponents of tennis celebrated the preservation of court space in response to the pro-tennis petition’s success. “While this feels like a victory, I do want to once (go to) a zoning meeting to discuss this further and find ways to assist pickleball players to get area for them to play their game that is separated from the tennis courts,” the pro-tennis petition author stated optimistically.

Chee argued that the ongoing renovation of pickleball courts in neighboring Hoboken has drawn many new players to Washington Park, exacerbating wait times and creating a tense atmosphere among players. His proposal to convert two of the less-used tennis courts into pickleball courts aimed to alleviate some of these issues.

Navigating Recreational Rivalries

In contrast, the tennis petition countered that every tennis court is essential due to high usage rates, with the courts Chee targeted often utilized by beginners and high school training programs.

Beyond the formal exchanges on change.org, discussions on Reddit turned hostile, with derogatory remarks aimed at pickleball enthusiasts highlighting the intensity of the debate. A general tennis subreddit post garnered over 1,000 signatures for the pro-tennis petition, reflecting widespread support from the global tennis community.

As pickleball continues to grow locally, the county is seeking funding to enhance existing courts under the 14th Street Viaduct in Hoboken, with a reservation system already in place for courts at Lincoln and James J. Braddock parks.

“We do realize pickleball is a growing sport and we’re working to expand pickleball opportunities throughout the county,” Mark Cygan affirmed, signaling ongoing efforts to meet the evolving recreational needs of Hudson County residents.

News in Brief: Pickleball Debate Heats Up In Hudson