What is the Outdoor Tennis Courts and Emerging Recreation Strategy?
The strategy provides direction for the programming, use, and renovation of outdoor tennis courts, while also providing opportunities for other emerging court sports, like futsal (similar to soccer), bike polo, and pickleball. This work was completed in 2022. PP&R has already begun partial implementation of the Strategy, with further details at: Improving and Repurposing Outdoor Tennis Courts | Portland.gov
What are the recommendations in the strategy?
- Provide outdoor tennis courts within 3 miles of Portland homes with varying areas of service based on the different types of outdoor tennis courts.
- Maintain courts that are in good or better condition.
- Develop a program to renovate courts that are in fair to poor condition, with priority going to community tennis hubs and recreational courts in underserved areas.
- Consider the reuse or removal of 18 courts to provide for emerging recreational opportunities when resources are available.
- Consider emerging recreational court sports in future Level of Service planning.
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How the strategy was developed?
Initial strategies based on research and analysis into the demand for tennis and other court sports were developed for community input in the summer of 2021. We received a strong response with many thoughtful comments. This input helped shape the strategy’s final recommendations.
How has the strategy been used?
The strategy’s recommendations for tennis and emerging recreational court sports informed park design at Laurelhurst Park and Parklane Park. Planning projects that have considered emerging recreational uses include the North Portland Parks Improvement project and the North Park Block Extension project. Recent tennis court improvements at Irving Park and Lents Park and court improvements for pickleball at Gabriel Park and Sellwood Park have also been informed by the strategy.
New park design and opportunities for outdoor tennis court improvements will use the strategy’s recommendations as a starting point in the future.
What are the three types 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 four 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 two to three 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 second priority for renovations and maintenance.
- View the map to see the recommended Recreation Courts.
- Neighborhood Courts provide a half-mile service area, have two 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, Glenwood, 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 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.
- No court changes will occur without additional community engagement.
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 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 available to be played at Columbia, Gabriel, Pier, and Sellwood Parks.