Dallas Seeks 1M Dollars Grant for New Pickleball Courts: The city of Dallas is applying for a state grant to help fund the construction of 10 new pickleball courts at Dallas City Park. The City Council unanimously approved the application on March 17, hoping to secure $1.06 million from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) Local Government Grant Program.
Increased Costs and Funding Breakdown
The estimated total cost for the project is now approximately $1.75 million, a significant increase from the city’s previous application. The Dallas Pickleball Club has pledged a $10,000 donation, while the remaining $697,390 will come from the city’s Parks System Development Charges (SDCs).
City Manager Brian Latta clarified that the pickleball courts would not be located at the mill site but at the northeast entrance of Levens Street on Brandvold Avenue, where an old outdoor swimming pool was once situated. Parking spaces will also be added on the north side of Brandvold Drive.
Challenges and Previous Grant Denial
Last year, the city applied for the same grant but did not receive funding. According to Latta, the rejection was due to the city’s two outstanding projects—the replacement of the Japanese Garden pedestrian bridge and restoration of the Japanese Garden—already being funded through the same grant program.
Additionally, the city was informed that its initial cost estimates were too low. This time, city staff worked with Locke Engineers to provide a more accurate project evaluation. The cost increase is partly due to new FEMA regulations requiring extensive mitigation efforts for floodplain development. Another unexpected factor was the discovery that the old city pool had been buried rather than removed, necessitating additional excavation work.
Clarification on Funding Sources
Latta addressed public concerns regarding project funding, emphasizing that the courts would not compete for general fund dollars allocated to essential services like public safety, infrastructure, or street maintenance. He explained that Parks SDCs are reserved for park expansion and cannot be used for other purposes.
“We feel very confident in this grant, we feel it’s competitive. We feel we’ve done a lot more homework, we’re a lot more prepared for this project to be implemented,”-(Brian Latta)
The pickleball court project will also not interfere with the upcoming $17.2 million bond vote for the new police station, as both have separate funding sources.
Community Reactions and Project Timeline
While some residents support the project, others, like Debbie Verdin, are skeptical. “What this project does compete with are what families and young people would use. That’s what I hear from most of the community of what is actually needed,” she said.
Latta assured that over $600,000 in SDC parks funds have already been allocated for family and youth projects, including upgrades to John Bernard Park and the Fortune Creek Trail at City Park.
Councilor Kim Fitzgerald suggested reconsidering the proposed location of the courts, while Councilor David Shein inquired about the project timeline. Jennifer Ward, city director of parks and recreation, said the grant terms require the project to be completed within two years if approved.
“Generally, we’d hear on this grant at the end of summer,That gives us adequate time on bid documents to go out at the beginning of 2026 and construct as soon as we can as the weather allows. I would see this being completed in the summer of 2026.”-(Jennifer Ward)
News in Brief: Dallas Seeks 1M Dollars Grant for New Pickleball Courts
Dallas is applying for a $1.06 million state grant to build 10 pickleball courts at City Park. The $1.75 million project faced past funding hurdles but now meets new cost estimates. If approved, construction could begin in 2026. Community reactions remain mixed over priorities for park development.
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