Play pickleball or tennis? Seattle Parks has a few questions for you

| West Seattle news | West Seattle parks | WS & Sports

(Reader photo, 2021)

Pickleball just might be the hottest sport right now. The city’s wondering how best to support it, and hitting a few questions your way:

Seattle Parks and Recreation is seeking input from tennis and pickleball players on how we can best support the growth of pickleball. Everyone is encouraged to participate in a short survey, whether you play pickleball or not – your thoughts are invaluable as we plan for the future of this sport in Seattle.

Your answers to the survey questions will inform how we:

-Approach immediate improvements such as dual striping existing tennis courts for pickleball (for which some funding is available now);

-Add pickleball lines to tennis courts during programmatic resurfacing and renovation projects; and

-Develop options for future dedicated pickleball courts (yet to be funded).

This survey is part of the 2021-2022 Pickleball Study funded by the Seattle Park District. An advisory committee is meeting throughout the study and additional community engagement will include two public meetings. Dates and venues for the meetings will be posted on the project page.

East Coast Cynic January 25, 2022 (5:33 pm)

the fans who play hockey at the Kraken Community Iceplex may beg to differ on what is the hottest sport right now:)

wscommuter January 25, 2022 (8:09 pm)

Build pickle ball courts – please don’t put pickle ball lines on tennis courts – it is a major drag for tennis players.

Yoyoto January 25, 2022 (9:16 pm)

Agreed. This shouldn’t be and either or conversation.
Erin98126 January 25, 2022 (9:34 pm)

I agree. It’s already difficult to get on a court to play tennis. Sharing with pickleball players makes it even more difficult. Take the survey! Let Seattle Parks know that you prefer separate courts.

Andy January 25, 2022 (9:22 pm)

If the courts aren’t being used for tennis it is great for them to be used for pickle ball. Put both types of lines on the courts.If I was buiding new courts I would tend to build them for tennis and put lines for both games on the same court – so they can be used either way. The Highpoint Courts are a good example of this working.

T January 25, 2022 (9:52 pm)

Dual courts please! Pickleball is more accessible to a wider range of people.

trickycoolj January 25, 2022 (10:14 pm)

Ugh my junior high PE teacher force fed us life size ping pong in the 1990s why is it still a thing?

Saaaaaaaam January 26, 2022 (11:37 am)

If you’re trying to insult pickleball, you should come up with a better burn than “life size ping pong” because that sounds so fun. I think “miniature tennis” sounds more off-putting.

BigB January 25, 2022 (11:24 pm)

Tennis has given up courts in the interior of Lincoln Park for compost piles and now the legenday Lowman waterfront courts have been torn up.Pickleball is uninspiring.No local kids aspire to become a pro pickleball player. The dream is real for kids aspiring to become the next Serena Williams or James Blake.We need to double down on tennis.If we must have pickleball, put it in the pocket park by the Bev.

Jill January 26, 2022 (6:32 am)

I totally agree with Andy, above: “If the courts aren’t being used for tennis it is great for them to be used for pickle ball. Put both types of lines on the courts. If I was buiding new courts I would tend to build them for tennis and put lines for both games on the same court – so they can be used either way. The Highpoint Courts are a good example of this working.”As a pickleball player, I would be happy to see just PB courts, but it seems a compromise is the best approach!

BigB January 26, 2022 (7:08 pm)

The courts are being used for tennis. Pickleballers should have their own courts. Right now half the courts at Lincoln Park are lit because the lights are busted and one of the three courts that are lit doesn’t have a net. Cracks in the surface are on all the courts. It would be nice to maintain what we have already.

AN January 26, 2022 (7:33 am)

Southwest Community center has opened up on the weekends for Tennis, I rarely see anyone playing Tennis there or anywhere else. I am all for designated Pickleball courts but it’s not in the budget. For now, lines for both Tennis and Pickleball at the local parks is working.

Tennis fan January 26, 2022 (8:27 am)

Putting pickleball lines on tennis courts ruins the courts for tennis. There are too many lines on the court. Please don’t expand the dual court program any further. The bigger problem with tennis in Seattle is the general neglect of the courts from the parks department. Cracks in the court, broken nets, garbage, graffiti, and lights that don’t work. Stop wasting your time with surveys and start maintaining the courts we pay for as taxpayers.

Rumbles January 26, 2022 (1:50 pm)

Wow, where why is all this shade being thrown on pickleball? Well, Tennis Fan, if the pickleball lines ruin the tennis courts how ‘bout we re-stripe them just for pickleball? Sheesh!

mem January 26, 2022 (8:42 am)

Yes. More Pickleball courts! There are a lot of people playing daily. No one aspires to be the next Williams or Blake, but we are moving, socializing and having a blast. And isn’t that is what our parks are all about?

BigB January 26, 2022 (7:11 pm)

Why can’t you simply move and socialize on the already existing tennis courts?

Pete January 27, 2022 (6:08 am)

Time for a massive upgrade at Haiawatha. A park with that kind of usage (and in an area that generates that kind of property tax revenue) should have a new play ground, and both tennis and pickleball facilities, with lights. The facilities are so bad that I see pickleballers setting up courts at Madison Middle School in the parking lot. THE PARKING LOT. Meanwhile at High Point, they have pickle ball lines on all courts, a fresh surface, new pickle ball nets, and a nice new play ground. Lisa Herbold, are you out there? Please do your job! This is ridiculous.

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