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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem4SchedulingofFrechParkCity of San Luis Obispo, Agenda, Parks and Recreation Commission DATE: March 4, 2020 FROM: Greg Avakian, Parks and Recreation Director Prepared By: Devin Hyfield, Parks and Recreation Manager SUBJECT: CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO DESIGNATED SCHEDULE AT THE FRENCH PARK PICKLEBALL COURTS AND THE JOANNA SANTARSIERE MEMORIAL TENNIS COURT RECOMMENDATION Receive a presentation and provide feedback regarding the proposed uses of scheduled play on the Tennis and Pickleball Courts at French Park DISCUSSION Background A pickleball pilot program was conducted within the City beginning in March 2015 providing play at the Ludwick Community Center gymnasium, Meadow Park basketball court, and French Park basketball court. At the June 1, 20161 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, Parks and Recreation staff presented survey results assessing the impact of temporary pickleball uses on existing facilities. The Parks and Recreation Commission recommended expansion of pickleball opportunities by painting lines on the French Park basketball court (now newly constructed Pickleball courts) and through the shared-use of the tennis court at French Park. On November 10, 20162, the San Luis Obispo Parks & Recreation Department hosted a public meeting and invited tennis, pickleball players and other recreational users to discuss the proposed rules for the both tennis and pickleball at the Joanna Santarsiere Memorial Tennis Court at French Park. At the meeting, thirteen people were in attendance representing an equal mix of both tennis and pickleball players. Staff presented the proposed rules-of- play (using the existing rules for the Court). How to best meet the needs of all the community recreational users was discussed. As a result of the public workshop, a weekly schedule for shared court use was developed which dedicated weekday morning time slots (8:00AM to 12:00PM) for scheduled pickleball or tennis play. The afternoons and weekends remained available for “drop-in” play opportunities for either tennis or pickleball on a first-come first-served basis. Due to the growing demand for pickleball within the City of San Luis Obispo, Joanna Santarsiere Memorial Tennis Court at French Park was resurfaced in 2017 to include 1 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Report, June 2016, available here 2 Parks and Recreation Public Meeting, November 2016, available here pickleball lines. In response to the emerging recreational need, the City authorized funding to construct three dedicated pickleball courts at French Park in Summer 2019. Current Schedule of Use at French Park Courts As outlined and approved by the PRC meeting on December 7, 20163, the City of San Luis Parks and Recreation Department provides dedicated court times for tennis and pickleball on the tennis court at French Park. With the installation of dedicated pickleball courts at French Park, scheduled play was extended to the upper pickleball courts. The current court schedule as provided by the City is as follows: FACILITY TIMES MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN Tennis Court Mornings 8:00 am – 12:00 PM Designated Pickleball Designated Tennis Designated Tennis Designated Pickleball Designated Pickleball Drop- In Drop- In Afternoons 12:00 PM – Park Closure Drop-In Drop-In Drop-In Drop-In Drop-In Drop- In Drop- In Pickleball Courts Mornings 8:00 am – 12:00 PM Designated Pickleball Drop-In Drop-In Designated Pickleball Designated Pickleball Drop- In Drop- In Afternoons 12:00 PM – Park Closure Drop-In Drop-In Drop-In Drop-In Drop-In Drop- In Drop- In Proposed Schedule of Use at French Park Courts With the installation of the dedicated pickleball courts (September 2019), Staff have assessed through observation and communication with both the neighborhood tennis community and the SLO Pickleball Club regarding the use patterns at French Park over the past 6 months. The Director – Parks and Recreation held individual meetings with representatives from both tennis and SLO Pickleball Club in November, as well as follow-up phone discussions regarding desired use at both court facilities. Additionally, per the SLO Pickleball Club website, published play hours at the designated pickleball courts displayed expanded use times that included Tuesday, Wednesday, and Sunday mornings (9:00 AM – 12:00 PM), as well as Sunday at the tennis court resulting in six mornings a week of play. The expanded schedule of the club use at the courts at French Park contradicts the posted City pickleball schedule, resulting in confusion for drop-in play or open court hours for pickleball and tennis uses. In order to provide consistency in messaging and standardizing the appropriate activity at each of the court facilities, the City is proposing modifications to the scheduling of both courts to better display the weekly reserved hours for club uses versus public drop-in hours. 3 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Report, December 2016, available here FACILITY TIMES MON TUES WED THURS FRI SAT SUN Tennis Courts Mornings 8:00 am – 12:00 PM Designated SLO Pickleball Club Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Designated SLO Pickleball Club Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Designated SLO Pickleball Club Afternoons 12:00 PM – Sunset Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Drop-In Tennis Use Pickleball Courts Mornings 8:00 am – 12:00 PM Designated SLO Pickleball Club Designated SLO Pickleball Club Designated SLO Pickleball Club Designated SLO Pickleball Club Designated SLO Pickleball Club Drop-In Pickleball Designated SLO Pickleball Club Afternoons 12:00 PM – Sunset Drop-In Pickleball Drop-In Pickleball Drop-In Pickleball Drop-In Pickleball Drop-In Pickleball Drop-In Pickleball Drop-In Pickleball Through discussions with the SLO Pickleball Club, they will continue to provide “Group Play” opportunities during its designated court hours. Group Play is defined as open to the public for all skill levels. Pickleball Court Policy City staff are also currently standardizing the policies for play to be posted at the pickleball courts and tennis court, similar to drop-in play at other recreational facilities (i.e. tennis, basketball) The policy will outline match limits, court use limitations, as well as information on how to reserve the courts for groups and tournaments. Next Steps Upon commission direction, Parks and Recreation staff will update online scheduling for both tennis and pickleball courts and post updated court policies on-site. A display case will be installed at the pickleball courts providing transparency for open court reservation. City staff has targeted an April 1st implementation of the updated schedules for pickleball and tennis in addition to assessing the uses of the courts over a six-month period. Recommended PRC Discussion Items: 1. Does the proposed schedule meet the needs of the community for pickleball and tennis users? 2. Does the PRC wish to see additional drop-in times for tennis or pickleball in the mornings or afternoons? 3. Are there any concerns regarding the Staff plans to assess the use over the next 6- month timeline? Would the PRC like to have Staff report back prior to the 6-month user assessment?