HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/4/2019 Item 2, O'Kelly
Wilbanks, Megan
From:Brian O'Kelly <losthillsguy@gmail.com>
Sent:Monday,
To:Advisory Bodies; Scott, Shawna
Subject:PRC communication
Date: September 2, 2019
To: Parks and Recreation Commission, City of San Luis Obispo
From: SLO Pickleball Club, Inc.
Subject: French Park 20 Year Plan Input for Park by Park Assessment
First and foremost, the Club wants to share its appreciation for the City’s investment in creating the first
permanent pickleball courts in the City of San Luis Obispo. The new courts have been open for play just a few
days now and the court surface, fencing and venue is FANTASTIC! The feedback from everyone is very positive.
All seven pickleball courts at French Park have been in full use since opening the new permanent courts, with
additional players waiting to play on the sidelines. This includes both the three Upper Courts (new permanent)
and the four Lower Courts (multi-use for tennis/pickleball).
SLO Pickleball Club’s vision for French Park
With eight courts now available at French Park, it makes this location the best and easiest City-wide venue for
pickleball. There is adequate parking, a large restroom facility, and an adjacent BBQ/picnic/stage area for the
hosting of large events, such as meetings, potluck/BBQs, tournaments, and award ceremonies. Seven of the
existing pickleball courts have fencing and are adequate for the hosting of competitive games.
Since converting the French Park Lower Courts to a multi-use facility, the trend has been increased pickleball
court use and a decline in tennis court use. The Club has been collecting data on both sports for two years and
the percent for tennis use is about 4%. We feel strongly that even with the upgrading, remodeling and resurfacing
of the Upper Courts (new courts), the French Park Lower Court (multi-use tennis/pickleball) will continue to be
heavily impacted by daily pickleball play.
Therefore, the SLO Pickleball Club, Inc. wishes to add its input on the City’s 20 Year Plan for French Park.
French Park is the ideal place to develop a large dedicated pickleball facility. If pickleball continues to
grow as it has in the past five years in the City of San Luis Obispo, the City will need to conduct a facility-
use study and consider converting the French Park Lower Courts (multi-use tennis/pickleball) to
permanent pickleball courts. This will be especially true if additional tennis courts are built as part of any
new developments within the City.
Eight pickleball courts at French Park will create a City of San Luis Obispo “Pickleball Center”. Eight
courts is a minimum requirement for hosting competitive pickleball tournament events. With the adjacent
park amenities, like the BBQ/picnic area and stage, parking and restrooms, this can easily become a
premier Pickleball Facility.
If this project is approved, the conversion cost can be shared with SLO Pickleball Club, Inc.
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Thank you for your consideration of this input,
Brian O'Kelly, President, San Luis Obispo Pickleball Club Inc.
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