Sunset Park’s Pickleball Court Expansion: The Door County Pickleball Club has asked to paint pickleball lines on a tennis court at Sunset Park in Sturgeon Bay. The club hopes to use this space when the park’s seven pickleball courts are full, Club President Jay Renstrom told the city’s Parks and Recreation Committee on March 26.
Pickleball has quickly grown popular at Sunset Park. With 550 members, the club often fills the courts. Renstrom proposed adding four temporary pickleball courts on one tennis court using portable nets, but only when no one is using it for tennis.
Balancing Pickleball and Tennis
Renstrom explained this plan would not remove tennis. “I love tennis, I grew up playing tennis [and] I don’t want to see tennis go away,” he said. The idea is to paint pickleball lines at no cost to the city and only use the space during mornings or special events.
He also said, “We don’t want to see people go away unhappy. That’s not what we’re about. You wouldn’t see our growth if we did that.”
Concerns About Space Use
Public Works/Parks Director Mike Barker said while the club draws many players, some neighbors have complained. “There had to be a certain level of truth there behind it, or people wouldn’t have called me,” Barker said. He worries about pickleball players taking over and leaving others out.
Committee member Shauna Blackledge called this a “good problem to have.” She suggested adding signs to help organize the courts better.
Next Steps and Decision
The meeting ended with no decision made. The committee agreed to put the issue on its April meeting agenda for a possible recommendation.
News in Brief: Sunset Park’s Pickleball Court Expansion
The Door County Pickleball Club asked to add pickleball lines on a Sunset Park tennis court to help with growing demand. The club promised not to replace tennis and to use the court only at certain times. City officials will review the idea again at their April meeting.
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