Joe Creason Park’s Pickleball Project: Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has canceled a $65 million plan to build a tennis and pickleball center at Joe Creason Park. The decision was announced on Friday, May 10, after strong public opposition from nearby residents who were concerned about the park’s environment, noise, and traffic.
Community Pushback Leads to Change
The original plan called for leasing 25 acres in the park. The facility would have included 36 tennis courts, 18 pickleball courts, a restaurant, a sports medicine clinic, performance areas, office space, and even a vision training and virtual reality center.
But many residents were worried that the project would reduce greenspace and change the peaceful feel of the park. Hundreds came to a community meeting earlier in the week to speak out against the plan.
“Being able to hear the birds and the trees and all of the natural serenity that this place provides is really worth preserving,” said Stephanie Grooms, who walks the park’s trails daily.
Grooms also attended Friday’s press event, where Mayor Craig Greenberg said the city would no longer pursue the project at that location. “The process worked. Your voices were heard. Your concerns were raised. Supporters were heard and we listened,” said Mayor Greenberg.
Residents Applaud the Decision
Many people in the crowd held signs that read “Save Joe Creason Park” and cheered when the mayor made the announcement. Stephan Zimmerman, an arborist who lives across the street from the park, shared that he had been contacting the mayor’s office about the project for a year.
“I started emailing and calling his office about 12 months ago regarding this project,” Zimmerman said. When Zimmerman asked why it took so long to stop the plan, Mayor Greenberg replied with an apology.
“I’m sorry that we are at this point, and we will move forward on other community projects with earlier community engagement,” he said. Metro Council member Josie Raymond reminded everyone that the issue was never with the sports themselves.
“This movement was never anti-tennis. This movement was never anti-pickleball,” Josie Raymond said. Stephanie Grooms added, “There’s so many great pros to having a world-class tennis center like this. It’s just we need to find the right location.”
New Site to Be Considered
Mayor Craig Greenberg said he is now searching for a different place to build the tennis and pickleball complex. He did not give details on where that might be.
Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, Inc., the group behind the plan, also shared a statement. They said they will look for a new location and remain committed to the project.
“Following Mayor Craig Greenberg’s announcement on Friday morning regarding the future home of a $65 million world-class racquet and paddle sports complex in the city of Louisville, Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, Inc. has announced our decision to seek a new location for this project. The organization remains committed to developing this state-of-the-art facility for the people of Louisville and Kentucky.” – (statement)
“We have worked with the Greenberg administration since February 2023, meeting once or twice a month with Deputy Mayor Pat Mulloy, Deputy Mayor Nicole George, Parks Executive Director Michelle King, Parks Director Jason Canuel, Director of Public Works Jennifer Kern, Director of Economic Development Jeff O’Brien, Director of Planning Brian Davis, Director of the Louisville Zoo Dan Maloney, as well as other members of their respective staffs. As public officials should, these individuals vetted our proposal extensively and created numerous hoops for us to jump through. We collaboratively jumped through each hoop.” – (statement)
“At the administration’s request, we met with 20 of the 26 Metro Council members in March 2024. We met in spring 2024 with Louisville Nature Center Director Rebecca Minnick and in the summer of 2024 with Josie Raymond, who was running unopposed for the District 10 council seat. Everyone was very encouraging. We have followed the administration’s instructions in all respects. Therefore, we were very disappointed to hear that Mayor Greenberg was withdrawing his support for the project at Joe Creason Park. Nevertheless, we are realists about the political process.” – (statement)
“We heard the Mayor say that Louisville wants world-class tennis and pickleball facilities, that he has seen huge support for our proposal (if not in Joe Creason Park), and that this is the kind of big idea that Louisville needs. We thank him for those kind words. KYTPC looks forward to working with the administration to find a satisfactory alternative site, and we expect the Mayor’s words to be quickly matched by deeds.” – (statement)
What Comes Next
The city’s decision shows how public voices can influence big projects. Many residents feel proud their concerns were taken seriously. The mayor and Kentucky Tennis & Pickleball Center, Inc. will now look for a new home for the sports center.
News in Brief: Joe Creason Park’s Pickleball Project
Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg has canceled a $65 million plan for a tennis and pickleball facility at Joe Creason Park following strong opposition from neighbors. Residents were concerned about greenspace, noise, and traffic. A new location is now being considered for the project.