HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/4/2020 Item 4, Berg-Johansen
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Roar Berg-Johansen <
To:Advisory Bodies
Subject:Pickleball schedule in French park
Attachments:PB letter to PRC 2-29-20 Roar.pdf
Please see my attached letter about the proposed schedule for French Park.
Thanks,
Roar Berg-Johansen
(805) 471-2600
1
February 28, 2020
Dear SLO Parks and Recreation Commissioners,
I am a citizen of San Luis Obispo and I am concerned with the city’s intent to restrict pickleball
play at French Park. City staff are treating us like we are a “problem” when in fact, we are
currently the biggest users of French Park and any other park in the city. We turn out in droves of
40 or more people on most designated pickleball days to exercise and socialize. For the six
months from September 1, 2019 to February 28, 2020 there were 78 individual tennis players
and 2,532 pickleball players. I know this because our club tracks usage every morning.
This sport is the fasting growing sport in the United States, partly because it is easy to learn and
terrific fun. I have watched this sport provide meaning to many older people who live alone but I
also see new families, including children, learning to play each week. We have volunteers
providing free lessons and the courts are full of new faces each and every week.
I am a competitive pickleball player who has won many medals, even at nationals in 2018. My
grown children and wife play and we own a home in the French Park neighborhood. It seems to
me that the Commission should be encouraging this sport, not restricting it. It’s a shame that a
few tennis players have the potential to affect over 150 citizens playing pickleball regularly. All
we want is full access to the French Park facilities each morning. There are many other tennis
courts in the city. Islay is less than a mile away and mostly unused. This is your opportunity to
celebrate a recreation success, not restrict it!
Sincerely,
Roar Berg-Johansen
1158 Poppy Lane, San Luis Obispo
Roar.bergjohansen@gmail.coom