The Town of Chapel Hill is planning to increase public pickleball courts while preserving space for tennis once its pilot study on the matter concludes Friday. The town’s plan is based on community responses to and staff evaluation of a shared-use pickleball pilot program, which installed temporary pickleball lines and netting on hard-surface tennis courts at Ephesus Park. According to the plan, the number of outdoor pickleball courts will increase from 11 to 21.

“We love the enthusiasm in our community around a sport that is getting more people outside and moving,” said Atuya Cornwell, interim parks and recreation director. “After trying out some space for the sport at Ephesus Park, we have developed a plan to share spaces we have available to us.”

Two of the four tennis courts at Ephesus Park will have dual lines painted on them in the coming weeks. Dual lines have already been painted on two outdoor basketball courts at Southern Community Park.

“It is always our goal to add more recreation space in our community,” said Cornwell. “We will continue to look for ways to do this in future budgeting processes, in addition to grants and other opportunities. For now, we have a solid plan in place to use the resources we have available.”

Parks and Recreation staff will continue to evaluate spring usage at Ephesus Park to determine a priority schedule. Walk-up schedules for town parks and courts can be found here. For a look at the work the town has done so far, click here.

 

Featured image via Town of Chapel Hill

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