Pickleball’s Rise in Evanston: Evanston residents Diane and Helder dos Santos first picked up pickleball during the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many others, they quickly became enamored with the sport’s community-driven vibe. But as their passion grew, so did their frustration with Evanston’s lack of outdoor pickleball courts.
The couple is part of a broader movement pushing for more pickleball facilities in the city. They launched an online petition on Oct. 11, which has now garnered over 600 signatures, advocating for the replacement of James Park’s tennis courts with 15 dedicated pickleball courts. The proposed design includes one accessible court, aiming to serve Evanston’s adaptive pickleball community.
On Oct. 24, Parks and Recreation gave its initial approval to the plan, which is now under review by City Council. With growing support, Diane and Helder’s vision for a dedicated space for Evanston’s pickleball enthusiasts could soon become a reality.
Pickleball Is the Fastest Growing Sport in America
Frustrated by limited options in Evanston, the dos Santos family often found themselves traveling to neighboring areas like Skokie and Wilmette just to play. With pickleball’s surging popularity, they believe Evanston needs to keep pace.
“Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America right now, and the fact that we don’t have any dedicated pickleball courts in Evanston is sad,” Helder said. “We’re just lacking. We’re lagging behind.”
To Diane, pickleball’s appeal lies in its casual, social atmosphere—a stark contrast to tennis, which she feels is typically more structured. “This is pick-up games,” Diane explained. “This is like people mingling like you did when you were a kid.”
Concerns Over Loss of Tennis Facilities
While pickleball players rally behind the proposed plan, some members of Evanston’s tennis community are worried. Deborah Cassell, president of the Evanston Community Tennis Association, acknowledged the need for compromise but voiced concerns about the city’s commitment to tennis.
“If those courts are not resurfaced, then it’s a grave injustice because you’ve taken away one of the most popular tennis court locations and then you haven’t fixed the courts that are unplayable and even dangerous,” Cassell said.
Evanston currently has 34 tennis courts, but several are in poor condition, and the city has not resurfaced them. Cassell herself suffered an injury at Ackerman Park due to the degraded court surface. The tennis community’s frustration is exacerbated by double-lined courts, which make line judging more difficult for tennis and pickleball alike.
Path Forward: Balancing Interests for Long-Term Growth
Cassell’s primary concern is the availability of facilities for tournaments, which require at least five or six courts in one location. James Park and Lovelace Park are the only places in Evanston with the necessary number of courts, but Lovelace often hosts lessons and other programming, limiting its availability.
Though the city has promised to increase Lovelace’s availability, the tennis community remains wary. “I think that if the city resurfaces these courts, as they’ve spoken about striving to do, that will ease the blow in the long run,” Cassell said. “But the difficulty of only having one court location with six courts, it’s got a bitter taste.”
Helder dos Santos is hopeful that the conversion plan will ultimately benefit both communities, creating a dedicated space for pickleball without compromising tennis needs. “Yes, there are some tennis players who are upset about this conversion,” Helder acknowledged. “But the thing is, we have nothing. The pickleball community in Evanston has nothing.”
For Cassell and other tennis advocates, the goal is a balanced approach. “We’re not going to make everyone happy. You’d be hard-pressed to find a tennis player in Evanston who is happy about losing James Park,” Cassell said. “But at the end of the day, whatever happens, happens, and we just hope that the city sort of stands by what it’s saying.”
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Rise in Evanston
Evanston’s Parks and Recreation approved a plan to replace James Park’s tennis courts with 15 pickleball courts, aiming to meet local demand for dedicated pickleball facilities. Diane and Helder dos Santos led the advocacy, gaining support from 600 residents. While pickleball players praise the move, tennis advocates, including Evanston Community Tennis Association president Deborah Cassell, raise concerns about the loss of courts and budget constraints. Both groups urge compromise to balance the needs of Evanston’s tennis and pickleball communities.
ALSO READ: Evanston’s James Park Set to Become a Pickleball Hub by Summer 2025 – But Not Everyone’s Thrilled