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HomeMy WebLinkAbout9/4/2019 Item 2, O'Kelly (2) Wilbanks, Megan From:Brian O'Kelly <losthillsguy@gmail.com> Sent:Wednesday, To:Advisory Bodies; Scott, Shawna Subject:Parks and Rec Commission To: Parks and Rec Commission From: Compilation of Club Member input, SLO Pickleball Club Subject: Park by Park Assessment, French Park Again to clarify, we are not asking to include definite plans for development, but to include that French Park could be a good place to develop a Pickleball Center and it should be seriously considered. We have compiled the first batch of responses from club members. I will be sending another email with more responses, but it will probably be after the meeting. ************************************************** French Park 20 Year Plan Support We have a dream….. The City of San Luis Obispo’s Park and Recreation department has been supportive of helping to expand the sport of pickleball by offering multi-use facility venues at both French Park and Meadow Park, and formerly the Ludwick Community Center. SLO Pickleball Club has nurtured and grown player interest and participation in pickleball by providing beginner lessons and organizing play at all three venues since 2015. As you know, most recently the City has completed the French Park Improvement Plan where the former basketball court was converted to three permanent pickleball courts with fencing and the former unused sand volleyball court was converted into a basketball court, with lines for one pickleball court. Completion of this project means that there are EIGHT PICKLEBALL COURTS in a single location - at French Park. With the magic number of eight courts, SLO Pickleball Club can host pickleball round robins/tournaments/events. But wait, there are still a few additional requirements necessary to make French Park into a premier dedicated pickleball facility. 1. Convert the existing multi-use tennis/pickleball Lower Courts into permanent pickleball courts with resurfacing, poles, permanent nets, and fencing between courts (as just completed at the Upper Courts). 2. Construct a grand stand bleacher seating area for spectators and expand cement walkways at the Lower Courts. SLO Pickleball Club’s partnership with the City of San Luis Obispo has been key to growing the sport of pickleball locally. And you have our commitment to stay focused and to help the City to continue to grow the sport to an even higher level. Our vision is for players of all ages and abilities to have a safe place to play pickleball. We have a dream….. Betsy Asmus SLO Pickleball Club, Inc. Secretary betsyasmus@me.com ************************************************ 1 The new permanent pickleball courts at French Park are wonderful. But, already there are many more players waiting to play than the 3 courts can handle. Pickleball is a sport here to stay. It is now taught in PE classes at the middle and high school level. We are seeing more young players out on the courts. It would behoove the city of SLO to plan additional PERMANENT courts. This is a fine use of taxpayer funds, as it serves so many citizens. Also, this will be an income generator, as tournaments can be held, bringing in outsiders. Let's make French Park SLO's pickleball center. Thank you for your consideration, Sally Brooks-Schulke ************************************************ As a pickleball player, I support your concept of converting the French Park Tennis Court to pickleball courts as there is another relatively unused tennis court near by at Islay Hill Park. The City did a great job putting in the three pickleball courts and moving the basketball court to the unused volleyball court. Though I thought it would be a half court, The City managed to put in a full court which is much better. As a possible suggestion for the permanent eight court is to extend the ennis court out further if there is room. I thank the City of SLO and SLO Pickleball Club for all their efforts on this. Sincerely, Gary Felsman 1266 Sumac Court San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 *************************************************** SLO City Hall, I have been a member of the SLO community for over 20 years. Recently I have begun participating in playing Pickleball as my primary physical activity. As I am getting older (almost 77) I have found that many activities that I played as a younger person are no longer practical for my current body. Pickleball, fortunately, is one that I can play multiple times a week to maintain my physical health. Unsurprisingly, other seniors have also come to that realization. The realization by others is personally both great and unfortunate. Great in that it is helping the general health of the senior population; unfortunate in that the pickleball courts in SLO are impacted with others looking to play. The recent addition of three more courts in French park will help temporarily, but I fear that their use will just absorb the growing interest in the sport. The additional courts and the fact that they are dedicated to Pickleball (coated surface, permanent nets, fenced in individual courts, etc.) are a wonderful addition to the community. However, now having 2 played on them, I realize how behind the times we have been in SLO. Smaller communities on the central coast (Morro Bay, Cambria, Arroyo Grande) have enjoyed these type facilities for some time while we have been sharing courts with basketball and tennis players; constantly moving nets on and off a court and trying to remember which painted stripes are meaningful for pickleball. The value of a permanent, dedicated court has hit home. It is somewhat like the person who acquires a bed after having slept on the ground for many years. He never realized how much better sleep can be, how much better rested and how much more efficient life could be. So that brings us to the future of pickleball in SLO. We need more courts for pickleball and we need more dedicated pickleball courts. French park has a tennis court that is very under used for tennis. It should be converted to permanent pickleball courts. And it can be for a lot lower cost than the recent remodel of French park. That remodel included the creation of a new basketball slab and court. My guess is that the actual recoating of the pickleball courts and the addition of nets and fences was one of the smallest of the line items in the French park remodel. Now is the time to create a plan for the inclusion of pickleball courts in new housing developments and the conversion of the French park tennis court. Sincerely, Lanny Hernandez 2060 Wilding Lane, SLO *************************************************** I support the continued growth of pickleball in SLO. I enjoy playing both tennis and pickleball. As the popularity of pickleball has grown, I've experienced times when there are so many participants that waiting time substantially exceeds playing time. The 3 new courts will help but, in time, as demand continues to grow, supply of courts will need to grow as well. For tennis, it's great that we have several court options. I enjoy playing at Sinsheimer, SLO High School and Cal Poly. Going to a location with multiple tennis courts means that there's probably a court open and if not, then one of the groups will likely finish soon. In the case of a single tennis court, the wait can be long if that group just started. Thanks for your continued efforts to support tennis and pickleball in our community! Rick Blair 805-825-1056 ****************************************************** Pickleball is quickly becoming a sport that attracts players of all ages, all interests, and the more courts available, the more will play! I support the efforts of the SLO Pickleball Club in encouraging the Parks & Recreation Committee of the City of San Luis Obispo to consider creating a Pickleball Center at French Park. 3 I believe if such a center existed it would benefit local businesses as, by giving the Club the opportunity to host sanctioned tournaments here, it would bring in players and their families from other areas who will also enjoy, and spend money at, the many other amenities San Luis Obispo offers. Sincerely Judi Boscaro ***************************************************** I wholeheartedly agree with the suggestions and plan of SLO Pickleball. Being a sometime tennis player and now a very regular Pickleball player, the need for courts and a great venue in San Luis Obispo is extremely important. Not only for current participants, but for the projected growth of this great game which is enjoyed by all ages. PLEASE we need more courts and San Luis Obispo's residents will GREATLY benefit from a dedicated Pickleball facility and additional city courts. Mike Michael F. Abram 975 Goldenrod Ln, San Luis Obispo, CA 93401 805-748-5557 cell Skype - michaelfabram Twitter - @MikeTGA The Golf Agency mike@thegolfagency.com ****************************************************** I definitely support the idea that the city should investigate having more permanent pickleball courts at French Park. Pickleball is growing in popularity & will continue with the right facilities. The three new permanent courts at French Park are fantastic and much appreciated. They are creating interest for the newcomers as well as the advanced players. I believe having a “Pickleball Center” at French Park will help bring our community together with much enjoyment for the future. Thank you for your consideration, Cheryl Stamford-Scobey ******************************************************* I support the growth of pickleball in San Luis Obispo. It would encourage activity in the community and bring visitors from out of the area. A win win for SLO. Diane Harrison ******************************************************* 4 I support the idea that if pickleball has continued growth in SLO, the city should investigate making more permanent courts at French Park to create a "Pickleball Center" Ken James Ken James Realtor BRE 01483467 KenJamesRealtor@gmail.com 805-748-2060 ************************************************ I would like to thank the City of San Luis Obispo for it commitment to providing the permanent pickle ball facilities. I am fairly new to the area, but it is appreciated that can continue play pickle ball on such new permanent courts as provided. I look forward to the continued support of the City to this ever growing and very fun sport, for all ages, and physical growth of its facilities. Thank you to those that made this possible ! Anthony Munoz ************************************************** I am in support of the SLO Pickleball Club’s vision for more permanent pickleball courts at French Park and request that the city of San Luis Obispo consider this input in developing The SLO City 20 year plan for French Park. Respectfully, Jesse Lee **************************************************** I Sincerely appreciate the effort that has gone into this plan, and I completely support the SLO Pickleball Club's Vision for French Park. Sincerely, Jody Vollmer ***************************************************** 5 I'm in and support the clubs position. DREW UNETIC voice actor "Indy Mic" Productions 805-473-3694 ********************************************************************** I support the implementation of a plan to further develop French Park into a full-fledged Pickleball Center. The brand new dedicated courts are wonderful and are already packed with players, many of whom are new to the sport. It is clear the demand is going to continue to grow much faster than the rate of population growth. Thank you. Drew Squyres ***************************** Great initiative. Thanks Darryl ******************************* Harry and Debbie Fawcett support the conversion of French Park to a permanant pickleball center. We are members of the Slopickleball club and would like to see the club share costs. Thank you. ***************************************************** I heartily support this park plan at French Park for a Pickleball Center. Maryalice Mulvey ****************************************************** I think the club position is a good one. Darryl Armstong ****************************************************** **************************************************** I too would like to see 8 courts at French Park. I often drive out to Morro Bay, a 26 mile trip because the courts are too crowded in SLO. I'd like to be more green and ride my bike, but sitting more than playing forces me to drive out of town and support another club Maureen Taylor 6 ***************************************************** Hello, I wholeheartedly support the idea of more pickleball courts at French Park. Even with the new permanent courts there are a lot of people waiting. Most mornings all seven courts are full. Since this is a growing sport in SLO, I think it's something the city should consider so people don't have to leave town to play somewhere else. Thank you for your consideration of this matter, Diana Contasti ***************************************************** I strongly support additional permanent pickleball courts at French Park. Even with the new courts just built, there are people waiting to play, and as rapidly as the sport is growing, the number of people waiting for a court will increase. Mark Turner ************************************************ We travel most of the summer in our RV and when we do we always try to check out what is available for Pickleball in the towns we stop in and sometime we pass up a town without Pickleball and stay in one where we can enjoy a game or two while we explore the new area. Most have permanent courts for Pickleball. San Luis Obispo had made a nice effort to offer some courts, but the city need to look into increasing the number of permanent courses. With additional courts the SLO Pickleball players could host event and bring more folk to town to enjoy Pickleball, also enjoy a nice visit to SLO. With the number of pickle ball players currently playing and considering the continuing growth of the sport it would be great to see the city of SLO get with the movement and provide courts to play on. French Park would be an ideal location. Steve Burdette **************************************************** To: Parks and Rec Commission, San Luis Obispo Thanks for your strong support of Pickleball in San Luis Obispo; the new courts at French Park are beautiful. As the demand for Pickleball continues to grow, I would love to see French Park as the Pickleball Center for the county. It’s great to see the park get so much use and I just see it continuing with your support. Thanks, Leigh Ramirez ***************************************************** Pickleball has increased in popularity in this area so much! It is a sport great for people of all ages… There are many school age kids becoming exposed to PB…..i’ve seen lots of grandparents bringing their grandkids on the courts. How wonderful to involve multi-generations in “play.” Pickleball appears to serve a wider age range of people than tennis….. I send this message in gratitude of the courts provided to us here in SLO. Our population is growing and the need for recreation is key to happiness and good health. Thank you, Karla Faye ****************************************************** 7 I support the idea that more permanent pickleball courts should be created in French Park. Siddarth Vyas ******************************************************* I vote yes and support the club plan. Debbie Belt, SLO ****************************************************** I am with you 100% Fondly, Betsy & Dick Steiner ***************************************************** Yes I support this plan. James Healy ***************************************************** Great yes I support this plan. Linda Healy, SLO 8