I am a resident of Jersey City, NJ, and a passionate pickleball player. Like many others in our community who love this sport, I find it challenging to access the courts after work due to the current reservation system. The courts are often booked by small groups, leaving many of us unable to play.

As a working professional, I can only play in the evenings between 5-8 PM. With only four courts available in Jersey City, they get booked up quickly. Converting the current pickleball reservation system at Lincoln Park to an open play system will allow at least three times the number of people to come and play during these peak hours.

The current system accommodates only 16 players at a time on the courts (4 courts with 4 players each). However, if we switch to an "Open Play" format from 5-9 PM during weekdays and all day weekends, we can accommodate almost three times more players during these peak hours. Pickleball games are short, usually 10-15 minutes long. After each game, all four players rotate out, and the next four players take their place. The player who move out of the court put their paddles back in the line waiting for next game on any of the 4 courts available. This system allows multiple players to get a chance to play at least 1-2 games during peak hours, versus no games when someone reserves a court for a full hour. The doubles format, which is most popular in pickleball, allows more players to play during peak hours, compared to singles games that limit the courts to only 8 players (4 courts with 2 players each).

An open play format for pickleball is very common across major parks and courts in the country.

As an avid tennis player who has been playing at Lincoln Park for many years, I understand and support the reservation system for tennis, as tennis games are longer and often played in singles format. It is also harder to find a player of the same skill level in tennis, so it makes sense to reserve a court with a partner which is not a case in Pickleball.

On the other hand, pickleball is a social game; it offers an opportunity for community members to engage with each other and stay active. According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAPA), there has been an astonishing 650% growth rate in pickleball participants over six years (2013-2019). This demonstrates the sport's popularity and the importance of ensuring everyone gets a fair chance to play.

We urge our local authorities in Hudson County and Jersey City to consider changing the reservation system for pickleball courts to an open play format from 5-9 PM during weekdays and all day weekends so that more residents can participate and enjoy this wonderful game after work hours.

Pickleball is inherently a social sport that thrives on community interaction and inclusivity. An open play system will foster these values by allowing more people to engage in friendly matches simultaneously.

Please sign this petition to support converting our pickleball courts reservation system to an open play format for better accessibility and enjoyment for all!