I am fortunate to live near a public park with several high-quality tennis courts. Additionally, the local Parks and Rec department does an excellent job with proactive routine maintenance. That ensures that these courts will be in good shape for many years to come. Sometimes, it is hard not to take this embarrassment of tennis riches for granted.
Based on the frequency with which I see the city cleaning crew servicing the facilities at the park, I am convinced that the bathrooms are cleaned daily. The trashcans on the court and throughout the rest of the park are regularly emptied. Earlier this year, I (cheerfully) had a practice session interrupted by a crew that was assessing and replacing the zip ties that attach the windscreens to the fence. A couple of weeks ago, the city had a cherry picker out to replace a single burnt-out light bulb.
While it might be tempting to believe that proactive advocacy isn’t needed for these particular courts, there isn’t much room for complacency. The pickleball community would love to convert the courts over to their sport. Now more than ever, it is important to remind the Parks and Rec department and city council that tennis players appreciate what has been provided.
Public park tennis courts are a vital part of the tennis ecosystem. In the United States, many of the first players to emerge outside of the elite private clubs on the East Coast came from hard courts constructed in public parks in California. Tennis would have been a very different sport without players like Jack Kramer, Alice Marble, and Billie Jean King, who started their tennis journey at public facilities.
The benefits of well-maintained public tennis courts extend far beyond the boundaries of the fences. Public parks with active recreation options reflect a municipal commitment to physical and mental well-being, as well as a source of leisure and recreation. Tennis courts are great for the local community, even for people who don’t participate in the sport. It reflects a vibrant lifestyle that makes the surrounding area seem like a good place to live.
I take great joy in the public park courts in my local area. The tennis ecosystem needs more nice places like this where people can casually engage with the sport for free.
