HomeMy WebLinkAbout3/4/2020 Item 4, Belsher (2)
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Belsher Law <
To:Advisory Bodies
Cc:John Belsher
Subject:PRC Commuications -Pickleball
As a tennis player, pickleball player and native of San Luis Obispo, I want encourage the City to retain
and even expand, pickleball court availability at French Park.
I am aware from 40 years of competitive tennis training and play that there is ample availability of
courts for all players in all areas of the City, including the modestly used Islay Park court, near to French
Park. Of all the public tennis courts in the City I would rate the French Park tennis court one of the least
used by me. By contrast on any given day of the week one will see some 20 or more pickleball players
using the French Park tennis court. This pickleball group is organized and has raised money for the
special pop-up nets and helps maintain the facility. Here is how I see it stacking up, unofficially, but
based on my personal experience with easy access to tennis courts.
Tennis courts: Public in City or adjacent: 24 Sinsheimer, Cal Poly, Islay, SLOHigh,
Laguna
Public in 10 minutes 8 Cuesta College (no collegiate
tennis)
Semi-public/private:
Country Club 6 Private but lots of local
players
JCC Clay Court 1 open with JCC fee
Private courts 10 approximate, including teaching
pros
and generally
available for friends
Avila Bay Tennis Club 6 Large tennis membership
Total Tennis Courts 55 courts (32 public)
Pickle Ball: French Park 3 permanent
French Park tennis court 4 pop up
Meadow (pop-up only) 3 pop up
Total Pickleball courts 10 courts (7 of which are pop-up)
The number of pickleball players is growing exponentially, with many former tennis players of all levels
joining in and spread across all age levels. It is reportedly the fastest growing sport in America.
National events have thousands of participants.
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POSAFY, the local non-profit engaged in drug education for youth plans to start a teen pickleball
program at French Park this Spring.
I encourage the Commission to recognize pickleball as a growing national pastime sport and allocate all
the French Park resources it can to this healthy sport attracting young and old to outdoor exercise like
nothing in the past 50 years.
John Belsher
2606 El Cerrito
Sent from John Belsher
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