DeSan Park Pickleball Court Upgrades: Richmond Heights is moving forward with plans to remove the old tennis courts at DeSan Park to make room for new sports areas, including a full basketball court and pickleball courts. City Council approved demolition work on September 9, funded by a $150,000 grant from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.
Plans for New Facilities
Economic Development Director Chelsey Kovar said the project will create more space for recreation once the tennis courts are cleared. “Right now the plan is to (install) a full-length soccer field, and also we have plans to do a multi-court for basketball and pickleball,” she said.
The new soccer field and multi-sport court will only move forward if the city receives an additional grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. This funding would help pay for the new facilities.
Making Space for Growth
Chelsey Kovar explained how the removal of the large tennis courts will help open up the park. “Those tennis courts take up so much room,” she said. “So, with the removal of that, we’ll have a full-sized grass soccer field, and also a full-sized high school basketball court, with pickleball.”
While no start date for the demolition has been set, Kovar confirmed that the city hopes to complete the work before cold weather arrives.
Why This Matters
The project marks a major step in updating DeSan Park and making it more useful for residents. Adding basketball and pickleball facilities, along with a new soccer field, will give families and athletes more ways to stay active. If the grants come through, the park could soon become a central spot for sports in Richmond Heights.
News in Brief: DeSan Park Pickleball Court Upgrades
Richmond Heights will soon replace DeSan Park’s old tennis courts with new facilities, including a basketball court and pickleball courts. A $150,000 grant covers demolition, while an Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant could fund the new amenities. Work is expected to start before winter weather arrives.