Pickleball Courts Considered At 4 Alexandria Parks, 1 Rec Center

ALEXANDRIA, VA — With increasing interest in pickleball, Alexandria's Park and Recreation Commission is considering expanding pickleball courts on existing tennis courts in five locations.

A public hearing is scheduled for Feb. 17 to discuss options for converting tennis courts to multi-use pickleball and tennis courts. The five locations being considered for pickleball courts are Armistead L. Boothe Park, Chambliss Park, Chinquapin Park, Eugene Simpson Stadium Park, and Lee Center.

Each tennis court can accommodate two pickleball courts. Four pickleball courts are proposed each at Armistead L. Boothe Park, Chambliss Park, Eugene Simpson Stadium Park and Lee Center. Five pickball courts are proposed at Chinquapin Park. Movable pickleball court nets are proposed for the five locations.

Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities staff proposed the five locations for pickleball courts after meeting with pickleball advocates and visiting Arlington County's multi-use pickleball and tennis courts. According to a city report, the only location with pickleball courts is Colasanto Center/Mount Vernon Rec Center. Pickleball facilities are also part of the design plans for the Minnie Howard campus expansion project.

The five proposed pickleball locations were identified by looking at the number of courts locations can accommodate, parking, restrooms and lighting. The city also ranked locations to ensure each of the five ZIP codes with tennis courts could get pickleball facilities. Funding for pickleball courts is available from $20,000 in the fiscal year 2022 Recreation, Parks and Cultural Activities budget.

With the Feb. 17 public hearing, the commission will make a recommendation to staff on locations for pickleball courts. To participate in the virtual public hearing through Zoom, visit the Park and Recreation Commission website. Comments will also be accepted until 5 p.m. on Feb. 16 by email to bethany.znidersic@alexandriava.gov with subject line Pickleball Court Expansion Public Hearing, or by email to 1108 Jefferson Street, Alexandria, VA 22314.