As Arlington residents and regular users of the town’s tennis courts - including participants in Arlington Recreation adult social clinics - we are concerned that the new reservation system is making courts harder to access and reducing overall court utilization.

Under the prior system, PlayLocal provided a fast and intuitive experience. Reservations and cancellations could be completed in seconds on both mobile and desktop, typically in just a few clicks. This ease of use supported high court utilization by making it simple for players to both secure and release court time efficiently. Players also had the option to play for one or two hours, allowing flexility to casually play with a friend of play a full match.

In contrast, the current Arlington Rec system introduces friction throughout the entire reservation process. Booking a court now requires roughly three to four times as many steps, and the mobile experience is difficult to navigate. Even basic actions such as modifying or canceling a reservation are not intuitive. These added barriers make the system more time-consuming and discourage active management of reservations.

The result is reduced access for residents. When the system is cumbersome to use, players are less likely to book consistently, adjust plans, or release unused time. This leads to courts sitting empty despite being reserved, particularly during high-demand periods. Based on feedback from a group of more than 20 regular Arlington players, this is a consistent and ongoing issue.

We understand that the new system was introduced in response to concerns about non-Arlington residents reserving courts. However, replacing a system that worked well for residents has introduced new barriers that undermine access and efficiency. More targeted measures, such as stronger resident verification, limits on advance reservations, or adjusted booking rules could address misuse without sacrificing usability. 
 
We strongly urge the Recreation Department to reinstate PlayLocal for the 2026 season while conducting a structured evaluation of alternative solutions for 2027. This process should include input from the tennis and pickleball community to ensure any future system balances fairness, accessibility and ease of use.

Respectfully, The Arlington Tennis Community