2017.06.07 PREC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Memo To: Parks, Recreation and Environmental Commission Members From: Jason Hicks, Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Subject: Dedicated Outdoor Pickleball Courts Date: May 31, 2017 Pickleball is an emerging activity in New Brighton. It is a paddle sport created for all ages and skill levels. The sport incorporates elements of tennis, badminton and ping-pong and can be played both indoors and outdoors. It only takes a flat surface measuring 20 feet x 44 feet and a net that is at least 20 feet long with the ends measuring 36 inches in height and the middle of the net measuring 34 inches in height. The sport is currently participated heavily by the senor population. According to an article published in the September 2013 edition of Athletic Business, 70% of the participants are age 60 or older. However, it is not exclusively a sport that is played by the senior population. In fact, the three public high schools that serve New Brighton residents include pickleball as part of their curriculum. Approximately 1,170 students in the immediate area are enrolled in physical education classes that will introduce them to the sport of pickleball each year. Currently, Parks and Recreation provides both indoor and outdoor pickleball amenities. This includes pickleball courts being striped on tennis courts at Hansen and Hidden Oaks, open pickleball scheduled at New Brighton Community Center as well as at Highview Middle School. The indoor facilities both utilize regulation size courts and nets. The outdoor courts are regulation size, but the nets are at the size for tennis, not pickleball. A request was provided to Parks and Recreation staff that states: The City of New Brighton should move forward to add permanent pickleball courts to meet the growing demand for pickleball which is particularly popular with the 55+ population. After receipt of the request, pickleball has been discussed at the November 2, March 1, April 5, May 3 and May 10 PREC meetings. Discussions have been focused on the possibility of converting the current tennis courts at Hidden Oaks Park into a six court pickleball complex.