Boise Shuts Down Pickleball Courts: The City of Boise has agreed to close pickleball courts at Willow Lane Park and Manitou Park after settling a lawsuit. Both locations will be turned back into tennis-only courts as part of the legal agreement. The decision comes after years of disputes about noise and neighborhood concerns.
Background of the Dispute
The pickleball courts at Willow Lane Park were first created in 2018 when tennis courts were converted to meet growing demand for the sport. Pickleball became more popular nationwide during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Boise followed other cities by adding more courts. However, some of these conversions led to challenges, and one case resulted in litigation.
Efforts to Find a Solution
Boise Parks and Recreation worked for more than two years to resolve the conflict. Attempts included reducing hours of play, closing the courts on certain days, and installing sound barriers at Willow Lane Park. Despite these changes, complaints continued, and the city eventually faced legal action.
“The decision to close popular pickleball courts at two park locations has not been made lightly and comes after years of sincere attempts to find a compromise for everyone involved,”
said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway.
“Our team is working on a set of pickleball court siting guidelines to aid the placement of future courts within our park system, and we will continue to look for opportunities to meet the recreational needs of all users, including pickleball players.”
Settlement and Next Steps
The city chose to settle the case to avoid ongoing legal expenses and keep its focus on serving all park users. As part of the settlement, both Willow Lane Park and Manitou Park courts are now closed for construction. Contractors will finish the transition back to tennis courts before December, as required in the agreement.
Looking Ahead
Boise Parks and Recreation is planning new guidelines to help decide where future pickleball courts should be located. Officials say they will continue searching for safe and fair ways to meet the strong demand for pickleball while keeping in mind the concerns of nearby residents.
News in Brief: Boise Shuts Down Pickleball Courts
Boise has settled a lawsuit by closing pickleball courts at Willow Lane Park and Manitou Park, returning them to tennis use. Years of complaints and failed compromise attempts led to the decision. The city plans to add new pickleball courts in other areas with better planning to avoid future conflicts.