Bring Back the Birchmount Park Tennis Courts
Bring Back the Birchmount Park Tennis Courts
The Issue
📢 BRING BACK THE BIRCHMOUNT PARK TENNIS COURTS
When I learned that the long‑standing tennis courts at Birchmount Park had been demolished and replaced with plans for pickleball courts, I was shocked and disappointed — and I quickly realized that many other residents felt the same way. What started as a personal concern quickly became a community-wide issue. That is what prompted me to take action.
As more information came forward, one thing became clear: this decision does not reflect fair process, proper consultation, or the needs of the Southwest Scarborough community.
SUMMARY
Birchmount Park had the only public tennis courts in the area. They were removed and converted to pickleball even though the consultation did not meaningfully reach the people who used the courts. Many residents now face more than triple the distance to any public tennis court. We’re asking the City to restore public tennis at Birchmount Park and clarify the consultation process so this doesn’t happen again.
WHAT HAPPENED
- The Birchmount Park tennis courts — used for over 60 years and consistently busy — were removed and converted to pickleball.
- Residents report the new pickleball courts were completed in early December 2025.
- With Birchmount gone, there are no accessible public tennis courts in the area; many residents must now travel much farther (often triple the distance) to find a public court.
Real impact:
This spring, kids and families who return expecting to play tennis at Birchmount Park will find the courts gone — with no warning.
THE CORE ISSUE
The area had no other public tennis courts — and the only ones were removed — despite a consultation process that did not meaningfully reach the people who actually used them.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT THE "CONSULTATION"
According to residents’ accounts and the City’s own page about this project:
- Single survey, short window. The City cites one online survey (Sept 1–15, 2025) with 704 respondents. The window was brief (about 2 weeks). https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/city-wide-tennis-pickleball-court-improvements/
- Little to no on‑site notification to tennis users. Residents say no clear notice was posted at the courts over the summer when tennis use is highest. One user recalls a small sign being posted briefly during the survey window and then removed; the sign reportedly stated that consultations had been ongoing for six months, which regular users say was not communicated on‑site beforehand.
- Skewed reach. The City’s own summary indicates a respondent pool heavily skewed toward pickleball players (many not local). Local tennis users — the group most directly affected — were under‑represented. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/city-wide-tennis-pickleball-court-improvements/
- Question framing & options. Residents who saw the survey say “maintain as tennis with proper upkeep” was not offered as a straightforward option, and the multiple‑choice framing favored pickleball outcomes.
- Off‑topic question created confusion. Some recipients report being asked about political party affiliation in related outreach, which felt irrelevant to a facility consultation and caused some residents to question whether the survey was legitimate.
- Short timing late in season. Running the survey in early September — as tennis season winds down — meant many regular summer users never saw it.
Bottom line: A major change like this should require meaningful, direct, and thoughtful engagement with actual users (clear on‑site notices, sufficient time, balanced outreach, transparency on who was reached and how). That didn’t happen here.
NOT TENNIS VS. PICKLEBALL
We support pickleball and want it to grow. But adding courts for one sport should not erase another — especially when there are already 6 indoor pickleball courts inside the Birchmount Community Centre in the same park, while tennis is left with no local option.
https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/ca/ontario/toronto/birchmount-community-centre
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR ACCESS & EQUITY
- Only public courts in the area were removed. Many residents now face more than triple the distance to find public courts — a barrier for youth, seniors, and anyone without a car.
- Public tennis courts are how families start and sustain participation without club fees.
- Removing the only local facility reduces affordable access to sport and disproportionately affects young people and newcomers.
WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE CITY TO DO
- Restore public tennis at Birchmount Park by rebuilding the courts — so the area is not left without any accessible public tennis facilities.
- Review and publicly clarify the consultation process used for this decision, including: the full questionnaire, distribution methods, who the survey reached (local vs. non‑local), and any usage counts or studies.
- Commit to meaningful, direct, and thoughtful engagement (with on‑site notices) before any future removal of long‑standing community amenities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Sign & share the petition with neighbours, schools, coaches, and local groups.
- Tell your story in the comments: how far you now have to travel; how your kids used these courts; why public courts matter.
- Stay engaged: watch for updates; we’ll share any City responses and next steps.
Sources
- City of Toronto — City‑Wide Tennis & Pickleball Court Improvements (Birchmount Phase 2: online survey, Sept 1–15, 2025, 704 respondents; summary of feedback)
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/city-wide-tennis-pickleball-court-improvements/ - Birchmount Community Centre — indoor pickleball courts in the same park
https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/ca/ontario/toronto/birchmount-community-centre
Note: Where residents’ experiences are cited (e.g., brief sign posting, question framing, survey confusion), these are community accounts provided by users and will be updated if the City releases additional documentation.
570
The Issue
📢 BRING BACK THE BIRCHMOUNT PARK TENNIS COURTS
When I learned that the long‑standing tennis courts at Birchmount Park had been demolished and replaced with plans for pickleball courts, I was shocked and disappointed — and I quickly realized that many other residents felt the same way. What started as a personal concern quickly became a community-wide issue. That is what prompted me to take action.
As more information came forward, one thing became clear: this decision does not reflect fair process, proper consultation, or the needs of the Southwest Scarborough community.
SUMMARY
Birchmount Park had the only public tennis courts in the area. They were removed and converted to pickleball even though the consultation did not meaningfully reach the people who used the courts. Many residents now face more than triple the distance to any public tennis court. We’re asking the City to restore public tennis at Birchmount Park and clarify the consultation process so this doesn’t happen again.
WHAT HAPPENED
- The Birchmount Park tennis courts — used for over 60 years and consistently busy — were removed and converted to pickleball.
- Residents report the new pickleball courts were completed in early December 2025.
- With Birchmount gone, there are no accessible public tennis courts in the area; many residents must now travel much farther (often triple the distance) to find a public court.
Real impact:
This spring, kids and families who return expecting to play tennis at Birchmount Park will find the courts gone — with no warning.
THE CORE ISSUE
The area had no other public tennis courts — and the only ones were removed — despite a consultation process that did not meaningfully reach the people who actually used them.
WHAT WE'VE LEARNED ABOUT THE "CONSULTATION"
According to residents’ accounts and the City’s own page about this project:
- Single survey, short window. The City cites one online survey (Sept 1–15, 2025) with 704 respondents. The window was brief (about 2 weeks). https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/city-wide-tennis-pickleball-court-improvements/
- Little to no on‑site notification to tennis users. Residents say no clear notice was posted at the courts over the summer when tennis use is highest. One user recalls a small sign being posted briefly during the survey window and then removed; the sign reportedly stated that consultations had been ongoing for six months, which regular users say was not communicated on‑site beforehand.
- Skewed reach. The City’s own summary indicates a respondent pool heavily skewed toward pickleball players (many not local). Local tennis users — the group most directly affected — were under‑represented. https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/city-wide-tennis-pickleball-court-improvements/
- Question framing & options. Residents who saw the survey say “maintain as tennis with proper upkeep” was not offered as a straightforward option, and the multiple‑choice framing favored pickleball outcomes.
- Off‑topic question created confusion. Some recipients report being asked about political party affiliation in related outreach, which felt irrelevant to a facility consultation and caused some residents to question whether the survey was legitimate.
- Short timing late in season. Running the survey in early September — as tennis season winds down — meant many regular summer users never saw it.
Bottom line: A major change like this should require meaningful, direct, and thoughtful engagement with actual users (clear on‑site notices, sufficient time, balanced outreach, transparency on who was reached and how). That didn’t happen here.
NOT TENNIS VS. PICKLEBALL
We support pickleball and want it to grow. But adding courts for one sport should not erase another — especially when there are already 6 indoor pickleball courts inside the Birchmount Community Centre in the same park, while tennis is left with no local option.
https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/ca/ontario/toronto/birchmount-community-centre
WHY THIS MATTERS FOR ACCESS & EQUITY
- Only public courts in the area were removed. Many residents now face more than triple the distance to find public courts — a barrier for youth, seniors, and anyone without a car.
- Public tennis courts are how families start and sustain participation without club fees.
- Removing the only local facility reduces affordable access to sport and disproportionately affects young people and newcomers.
WHAT WE'RE ASKING THE CITY TO DO
- Restore public tennis at Birchmount Park by rebuilding the courts — so the area is not left without any accessible public tennis facilities.
- Review and publicly clarify the consultation process used for this decision, including: the full questionnaire, distribution methods, who the survey reached (local vs. non‑local), and any usage counts or studies.
- Commit to meaningful, direct, and thoughtful engagement (with on‑site notices) before any future removal of long‑standing community amenities.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
- Sign & share the petition with neighbours, schools, coaches, and local groups.
- Tell your story in the comments: how far you now have to travel; how your kids used these courts; why public courts matter.
- Stay engaged: watch for updates; we’ll share any City responses and next steps.
Sources
- City of Toronto — City‑Wide Tennis & Pickleball Court Improvements (Birchmount Phase 2: online survey, Sept 1–15, 2025, 704 respondents; summary of feedback)
https://www.toronto.ca/city-government/planning-development/construction-new-facilities/park-facility-projects/city-wide-tennis-pickleball-court-improvements/ - Birchmount Community Centre — indoor pickleball courts in the same park
https://www.pickleheads.com/courts/ca/ontario/toronto/birchmount-community-centre
Note: Where residents’ experiences are cited (e.g., brief sign posting, question framing, survey confusion), these are community accounts provided by users and will be updated if the City releases additional documentation.
570
Supporter Voices
Petition created on February 13, 2026