Evanston’s James Park Set to Become a Pickleball Hub by summer 2025. During a special board meeting on Oct. 24, members unanimously voted to convert all six existing tennis courts at James Park into no fewer than 15 pickleball courts, which will include one adapted court for accessibility. This change is anticipated to be completed by July 1, 2025.
In their decision, the board considered two alternative proposals: one that would have created a mix of pickleball and tennis courts at both James Park and Leahy Park, and another for six dedicated pickleball courts at Chandler Park. However, the James Park conversion won out for its central location and capacity for multiple courts.
Community Reactions: Enthusiasm and Concerns
For some residents, the board’s decision was a victory. Evanston resident Michael Kloster expressed satisfaction with the outcome, viewing it as an opportunity to strengthen the community through a shared space for pickleball. “It was what we were hoping for,” Kloster said, highlighting James Park’s suitability as a central, spacious location ideal for open play.
Meanwhile, Kloster’s son, Parker, a student at Evanston Township High School, is eager to start a pickleball club, excited by the new opportunities for dedicated play space.
“The problem is money, and I think the City Council needs to make it more of a priority to get the money that is really needed to grow the sport and keep up with the growth. Pickleball being as inclusive as it is, it is being relegated to the south side of Evanston” -(JIM CIGNORELLI)
However, the decision wasn’t universally applauded. Jim Cignorelli, a tennis and pickleball player, pointed out that centralizing pickleball at James Park would limit access for those outside south Evanston.
Alternative Perspectives: Unity Through Multiple Locations
Not all community members agreed with the choice of James Park. Longtime resident Fran Weichart advocated for a different option: creating six dedicated pickleball courts at Chandler Park. She believed this choice could have brought unity, accommodating both pickleball and tennis players without displacing either. “I believe everyone could get behind this option,” she said, viewing it as a more balanced solution.
During the meeting, Vice President Robert Bush proposed a motion for city staff to consult pickleball representatives to design a first-class facility. This motion was, however, not seconded, as board member Kelly Terrell expressed confidence that staff could gather the necessary input independently.
“I fully believe that staff are capable of conducting these meetings, I am not sure that we need to direct staff on how to go about the process to gather and aggregate the information in order to further make the decision of design.” -(KELLY TERRELL)
Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Thompson reassured attendees that community input would continue to be valued, mentioning that ten meetings with pickleball players had already taken place over the past 60 days. Thompson outlined design considerations, such as fencing, wind control, and pickleball containment, noting that observing other courts’ layouts could offer valuable insights.
“You look at other courts, and they, even though they have a lot of courts in different places, there are struggles with each one of them, It’s not as simple as. ‘Let’s just paint the lines.’”-(AUDREY THOMPSON)
The project is estimated to cost below the $650,000 budget, and any remaining funds may be allocated for resurfacing tennis courts at other parks. A preliminary design is expected to be presented to the board by December.
News in Brief: Evanston’s James Park Set to Become a Pickleball Hub
Evanston’s Park and Recreation Board has unanimously approved a plan to convert all six tennis courts at James Park into 15 pickleball courts by July 1, 2025. This decision came after weighing options for multiple sites, with James Park selected for its central location and capacity. The move has received mixed reactions from residents: while many are pleased, some argue for a more distributed approach across the city. Parks Director Audrey Thompson confirmed that community feedback is integral to the design, and a proposal is anticipated by December.
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