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(1) Discussion of the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department’s Plans to Conduct a Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study; (2) Consideration of Forming a PRCS Commission “Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study Ad Hoc Subcommittee;” and (3) If Desired, Appoint Two PRCS Commission Members to the Newly-Formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
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Meeting Date: September 6, 2022
Contact Person/Dept: Dani Cullens/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6471
Fiscal Impact: Yes [X] No [] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (09/01/2022); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (09/01/2022)
Department Approval: Armando Abrego, PRCS Director (09/01/2022)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission (1) discuss the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department’s plans to conduct a Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study; (2) consider forming a PRCS Commission “Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study Ad Hoc Subcommittee;” and (3) if desired, appoint two PRCS Commission Members to the newly-formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee.
BACKGROUND
Over the past several years, members of the public have periodically expressed interest in having pickleball courts at Culver City parks. On, June 7, 2022, the PRCS Commission agendized a discussion of pickleball courts for the August 2, 2022, meeting. However, the August meeting was cancelled so the item was placed on tonight’s agenda.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:
Pickleball is a racket/paddle sport that was created by combining elements of several other racket sports. Two or four players use solid paddles to hit a perforated hollow polymer ball over a net. The ball is much like a Wiffle ball, with 26 - 40 round holes. A pickleball court is similar to badminton, with a net similar to tennis, and the paddles are similar to those in table tennis.
Pickleball was invented in 1965 as a children's backyard game, on Bainbridge Island, Washington, USA. In 2022 pickleball was adopted as the official state sport of Washington.
The spread of the sport is attributed to its popularity within community centers, physical education classes, public parks, private health clubs, YMCA facilities and retirement communities. There are thousands of pickleball tournaments throughout the United States, including the U.S. Pickleball National Championships, U.S. Open Pickleball Championship, Major League Pickleball, as well as numerous international championships.
DISCUSSION
Since there is currently no new park space available to install pickleball courts, staff will be collecting public input to determine if the community desires to either replace some of the City’s existing paddle tennis courts with dedicated pickleball courts and/or to use a court-conversion system that allows existing paddle tennis courts to alternately be used as pickleball courts. There are two paddle tennis courts at Culver West Alexander Park, four at Fox Hills Park, two at Syd Kronenthal Park and four Veterans Memorial Park Paddle Tennis Courts.
PRCS staff will be developing a survey to collect the public’s input on pickleball court implementation. The survey’s availability will be noticed on the PRCS Department’s standard email, website and social media platforms. In addition, QR codes will be placed on flyers posted at all PRCS parks and facilities. Using QR codes, members of the public will be able to access and respond to the survey on their cell phones. Staff recommends that one community outreach meeting be held at either the Veterans Memorial Building or Culver West Alexander Park to discuss pickleball court implementation.
Staff is recommending that the PRCS Commission consider forming a “Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study Ad Hoc Subcommittee” (Pickleball AHS). The Pickleball AHS could assist staff by finalizing the survey, reviewing the marketing plan and attending the Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study community meeting as representatives of the PRCS Commission.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
Staff will be investigating the cost of the various types of pickleball projects that are presented to the public for consideration. There is a Capital Improvement Project (CIP) account for resurfacing and restriping courts (PZ640). Funds for these types of projects are typically allocated from Culver City’s Park Facilities (419; Quimby) Fund. In Fiscal Year 2021/2022, the PRCS Department had hoped to use some of the carryover funds in this account to convert paddle tennis courts to dual paddle tennis/pickleball courts. However, that project was postponed due to limited staffing and the need to address other pressing park-related priorities.
ATTACHMENTS
None.
MOTION
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Discuss the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department’s plans to conduct a Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study;
2. Consider forming a PRCS Commission “Pickleball Court Implementation Feasibility Study Ad Hoc Subcommittee;” and,
3. If desired, appoint two PRCS Commission Members to the newly-formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee.