Pickleball Court Dilemma in Stillwater: Henri Uehara, president of the Stillwater Tennis Association, recalls a time when tennis courts dotted Stillwater’s landscape. Having played on the Stillwater High School tennis team before leaving for college and a career, Uehara returned in 2012 to find the courts in disarray. “Even back then, 10 years ago, Sunset Park, the one by Sprouts (Farmers Market), was not in great condition, but it was better,” he noted. The city now boasts only a few courts, many of which are in a state of disrepair.
City Council Discussions
Discussions around maintaining and improving the public parks system have been ongoing for several years. At a recent City Council meeting, Director of Community Resources Barbara Bliss highlighted efforts to assess parks for specialized needs. She proposed upgrades to two parks, including the potential sale of Sunset Park to fund new tennis and pickleball courts at Couch Park, which underwent renovations in 2017.
“Believe me, I don’t want to be known as the director who just sold off park land,” Bliss asserted. “I want to make everything better for the public, and this way we could take care of them better, and they would be extremely nice.”
Challenges and Solutions
The parks system in Stillwater faces multiple challenges, including a burdensome amount of land—approximately 95% more than similarly populated cities, according to Bliss. Funding and manpower remain the primary hurdles, with the city struggling to maintain existing parks adequately. The courts at Sunset Park have been damaged by drainage issues, with repairs estimated at $500,000. The lack of space for parking and restroom facilities further complicates the situation.
Uehara expressed concern about losing Sunset Park’s central location. “Losing the central location that Sunset Park holds is ‘not as attractive’ for Stillwater’s tennis players,” he said. However, the park’s prime location along South Washington Street could make it appealing for potential buyers.
A Complex Solution
Councilor Kevin Clark, part of a subcommittee addressing the parks system, emphasized that the City Council would need to act on the sale of park land. Sunset Park’s lack of binding covenants simplifies the process, should the council choose to move forward.
“I don’t really see a downside to doing that, or a big enough downside to not do it,” Clark remarked, recognizing the trade-offs involved.
Bryce Baker, vice president of OSU’s tennis club, pointed out that expanding the court system could ease tensions between tennis and pickleball players sharing the same facilities. “I think that would definitely bring a lot of attention, making it a good little tennis/pickleball complex,” Baker added.
Community Engagement and Future Prospects
Uehara has called for community discussions to determine the best site for new courts, acknowledging the increasing demand for pickleball. The Stillwater Tennis Association supports selling Sunset Park if the proceeds directly fund new facilities.
Ideally, Uehara envisions six to eight tennis courts and four pickleball courts, complete with lighting and restroom facilities, all centrally located. “It’s hard to find a city of our size that doesn’t have a minimum of eight tennis courts in town that people can use,” Uehara noted. “It’s really, I’m just amazed that a college town like ours can’t justify eight decent tennis courts in one location.”
News in Brief: Pickleball Court Dilemma in Stillwater
Stillwater officials are considering selling Sunset Park to fund new tennis and pickleball courts at Couch Park, addressing ongoing maintenance issues. Director of Community Resources Barbara Bliss proposed this change during a City Council meeting, emphasizing the need for upgraded facilities.
The current tennis courts are in disrepair, and the city struggles with funding and maintenance. The Stillwater Tennis Association supports the move, aiming for six to eight tennis courts and four pickleball courts in a central location to accommodate growing demand.
ALSO READ: Pickleball Courts Are Coming: Transforming Shoreline Park for Ultimate Play!
