Carl Schurz Park Pickleball Court Installation: Pickleball players at Carl Schurz Park, New York, now have permanent nets, thanks to the Parks Department’s installation last month. The permanent courts, located at East 86th Street, highlight the park’s growing popularity among “picklers.” However, nearby basketball courts remain neglected, with cracked surfaces and no nets, leaving basketball players frustrated.
Pickleball Court Improvements
The addition of permanent pickleball nets at Carl Schurz Park comes after a long journey that started in 2023. Known only as Dr. Pickleball, a passionate individual began bringing temporary nets to the park’s blacktop courts.
Using chalk to mark boundaries, a small community formed around the game. In 2023, the Parks Department officially recognized the effort by marking three permanent courts with bright-blue paint and adding its logo.
Controversy and Public Opinion
The growth of pickleball in the park hasn’t been without controversy. Some locals, like a father named Joel, voiced concerns, claiming that the new activity created a barrier for kids who used the park. In February 2023, at a Community Board 8 meeting, he said that some pickleball players were “nasty” and made the park less inviting.
However, pickleball players like Jonathan enjoy the changes. Jonathan sees the new permanent courts as a positive development. He said, “It’s an improvement.” But, he also expressed confusion about the remaining fence on the northern side of the courts.
The fence was briefly put up around April 25, but was taken down within 24 hours after a complaint was lodged. A few feet of the fence still stands as of April 29. Jonathan speculated the fence might have been meant to keep BMX riders or skateboarders away, but was unsure.
Basketball Courts in Poor Condition
Just a short distance from the pickleball courts, the basketball courts are in much worse shape. Richard, who plays basketball with his child RoRo, described the courts as being in poor condition, with cracked surfaces that could lead to injury.
“I’ve seen citizens just putting up [basketball] nets on their own. If the Parks Department could give us nets, that would be nice.” – (Richard)
A proposal to repave the basketball courts was discussed last year, but there has been no update on the project. The Parks Department has not provided any news on whether the project will move forward.
Ongoing Disputes and Concerns
Some residents remain concerned about how the permanent pickleball courts may affect the park’s other activities. One long-time resident, who misses the open space before the pickleball courts were installed, wondered if the Family Fun Day event would be impacted by the new courts.
On May 17, Upper East Side City Council Member Julie Menin will sponsor a “Family Fun Day” at the park, though it remains unclear how the event will be affected by the pickleball courts. Menin’s office has declined to comment.
The Growing Popularity of Pickleball
As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, it’s clear that Carl Schurz Park has become a hub for the sport. Despite some challenges and disputes, pickleball players like Jonathan maintain a “live-and-let-live” attitude, recognizing the crowded nature of the park in New York City.
He pointed out that “It’s impossible not to have a few people that are confrontational,” but overall, people are just looking to enjoy the space.
News in Brief: Carl Schurz Park Pickleball Court Installation
Pickleball players at Carl Schurz Park now have permanent nets, marking a major step in the sport’s growth. However, nearby basketball courts remain in disrepair, with no nets and cracked surfaces. A proposal to repave the courts has stalled. The community continues to debate how the changes will affect the park.
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