Outdoor Tennis Courts and Emerging Recreation Strategy

Parks

In Planning

PP&R’s Outdoor Tennis Courts and Emerging Recreation Strategy will set a strategic direction for the programming, maintenance, and use of outdoor tennis courts, and provide for other emerging court sports in Portland.

Seeking community input in summer 2021

On this Page

Feedback on Portland’s Tennis Courts

Thank you to everyone who participated in our online comment process this summer. The comment period ended September 7, 2021. We received a strong response with many thoughtful comments. We are now reviewing and summarizing all the comments, and we will share the final strategy this winter.

What is the Outdoor Tennis Courts and Emerging Recreation Strategy?

This project will set a strategic direction for the programming, maintenance, and use of outdoor tennis courts and provide for other emerging court sports, like futsal (similar to soccer), bike polo, and pickleball, in Portland.

Portland Parks & Recreation (PP&R) currently has 103 outdoor tennis courts located within 38 parks.

30 of the 103 tennis courts in the PP&R system are considered fair, good, or excellent, and can be considered providing a programmable surface with conditions that are safe and enjoyable.
73 of the 103 tennis court surfaces are in poor condition.

What are the current findings?

Based on our research and analysis, PP&R has drafted some initial actions for further consideration, and we sought input on these findings in Summer 2021 (comment period is now closed). The draft strategy recommends:

Providing outdoor tennis courts within 3 miles of Portland homes,
Recognizing a tiered system for outdoor tennis courts,
Maintaining the 16 courts that are in good condition,
Develop a program to renovate 69 courts that are in fair to poor condition, with priority going to community tennis hubs and recreational courts in underserved areas, and
Considering the reuse or removal of 18 courts.

Map showing locations of Community Tennis Hubs, Recreational Courts, and Courts for Reuse

View a larger version of map above

What are the three tiers of courts?

Community Tennis Hubs are dedicated tennis courts, primarily suited for enhanced levels of programming by PP&R and our partners, including league and competitive play, and community school tennis programs.
- They provide a 3-mile level of service and have 4 or more tennis courts at a park location.
- The hubs also include support facilities such as lighting, restrooms, benches, and are accessible. They are the highest priority for renovations and maintenance.
- View the map to see the recommended Community Tennis Hubs.

Recreational Courts provide a 2-mile service area. Their primary use is tennis, but they may also have complementary secondary uses, including pickleball and futsal. There are 2-3 courts provided at each location.
- They host PP&R and partners’ children’s and introductory tennis programming and smaller activities. They may have some support facilities. They are the 2^nd priority for renovations and maintenance.
- View the map to see the recommended Recreation Courts.

Neighborhood Courts serve a ½-mile level of service, have 2 courts at a location, and are typically within walking distance of homes. They can be shared with other court sports.
- They are typically not programmed by PP&R or our partners but are reserved for walk-on use. The surfacing may be asphalt or concrete and may not have support facilities such as lighting.
- View the map to see the recommended Neighborhood Courts.

Which tennis courts are recommended for removal or reuse? Why?

18 courts at 11 parks are recommended for removal or reuse: Alberta, Brentwood, Burlingame, Creston, Essex, Hillside, Lair Hill, Northgate, Pier, Rose City, and Westmoreland Parks.
They are recommended for removal or reuse primarily because the courts have reached the end of their lifecycles and do not meet design and safety guidelines for tennis.
Their service areas overlap with other courts and/or there is insufficient demand for tennis.
There may be possible demand for other sports uses at these courts.
It is important to note that funds have not yet been allocated for the removal or reuse of courts.

What kind of reuses might be possible? What does emerging sports mean?

Outdoor tennis courts are adaptable spaces. Because they are fenced and provide a solid surface to play on, they can be used for new and emerging recreational sports like bike polo, futsal, pickleball, skateboarding, and other activities. Some of these sports can share a space with tennis, while others are not well suited to sharing space and work best as their own dedicated courts.

Courts at Colonel Summers, King School, and Montavilla Parks have already been converted to futsal. One court at Alberta Park is used for bike polo, street hockey, and other uses. Pickleball is regularly played at Columbia, Gabriel, and Sellwood Parks. View a map of current emerging recreation sports courts locations.

Learn more

Review the Frequently Asked Questions
See a map of the draft recommendations for all tennis courts
Read the draft Executive Summary of the Tennis Courts and Emerging Recreation Strategy

If you have additional questions or would like to schedule a presentation at your organization's next meeting, please contact Katie Dunham at Katie.Dunham@portlandoregon.gov.