Title
Recommendation to modify and update existing Tennis and Pickleball policies and make the trial pickleball courts at Leydecker Park permanent.
Body
To: Honorable Chair and Members of the Recreation and Park Commission
From: Justin Long, Recreation and Parks Director
BACKGROUND
November 10, 2022, the Recreation and Parks Commission (RPC) approved "Tennis Rules" and "Pickleball Rules" for all ARPD courts and the "Athletic Facility Use and Allocation Policy" (Exhibit 1).
In the fall of 2023, ARPD worked with members of the pickleball community, tennis community, and a representative for the neighboring HOA to identify a location for a trial converting one tennis court into four pickleball courts. The process identified Leydecker Park court 1 as the location of the trial. ARPD had the court overlayed with striping for pickleball and provided four movable nets. Signage was placed to inform users of hours of play and court rules.
August 2024, ARPD met with the Alameda Tennis Coalition (ATC) to discuss new signs recently placed at Washington Park tennis courts. ATC expressed the need to add "Tennis Only" to the existing signs to limit any conflict from occurring at the courts between pickleball players and tennis players. ARPD agreed to add signs to the Washington Park tennis courts stating, "Tennis Only" due to past conflicts and to high usage.
September 3, 2024, City Council gave direction to the RPC to develop/modify policies about which courts would be for tennis only and which courts would allow pickleball. Council direction also included making Washington Park tennis courts a tennis only facility. Council directed ARPD to install temporary "Tennis Only" signs at all the outdoor tennis courts until the RPC could review and discuss any changes to ARPD policies.
DISCUSSION
ARPD currently has three approved polices for the usage of courts and facilities throughout the city. The policies are Tennis Rules, Pickleball Rules, and the Athletic Facility Us...
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