1. Executive Summary and Requested Action
We respectfully request that the Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation and Frederick County Council evaluate the addition of at least one lighted rubber-matted volleyball court and dedicated pickleball courts at Pinecliff Park. Pinecliff is already a well-used multi-purpose park, and these facilities would expand healthy, accessible recreation for residents of the growing communities around the park.

At this stage, we request a professional feasibility and site assessment rather than a commitment to a predetermined design. Specifically, we ask the County to:

·        Assess suitable locations within Pinecliff Park for a rubber-matted volleyball court and dedicated pickleball courts.

·        Evaluate lighting, drainage, grading, parking, accessibility, environmental constraints, proximity to residences, noise, safety, and long-term maintenance.

·        Consider the project during future parks, capital-improvement, and budget planning.

·        Engage interested residents and park users as the concept is evaluated and provide guidance on the next steps.

2. Need for a Dedicated Rubber-Matted Volleyball Court
Pinecliff Park already includes volleyball nets and attracts residents for volleyball and other group recreation. However, regular users report that the existing volleyball areas have practical limitations, including sloped playing areas, nearby fixed obstacles, and proximity to trees and picnic shelters. These conditions can reduce the usefulness and consistency of the current spaces for organized recreational play.

A purpose-built rubber-matted volleyball court, located separately from picnic shelters and other conflicting uses, would provide a more consistent and appropriate surface for recreational games, youth activities, leagues, tournaments, and community events.

We also request consideration of appropriate outdoor lighting. Lighting would extend usable hours for working adults, students, and families, particularly during seasons when daylight ends early. Any lighting should use reasonable operating hours, shielding, and glare controls consistent with County standards and nearby residential conditions.

3. Why Dedicated Pickleball Courts Are Needed
Pickleball is well suited to community recreation because it is relatively easy to learn, accommodates singles and doubles, serves a broad range of ages and skill levels, and can support multiple courts within a comparatively compact footprint. USA Pickleball identifies a 20-by-44-foot playing court, with additional surrounding space recommended for safe play.

·        Accessible to beginners while still supporting competitive play.

·        Suitable for youth, adults, older residents, families, and intergenerational recreation.

·        Supports open play, lessons, leagues, clinics, tournaments, and community events.

·        Requires relatively simple participant equipment and can provide substantial recreational use from a modest site footprint.

Regular physical activity is also associated with important physical and mental health benefits. Expanding convenient local recreation can help residents incorporate activity into everyday life.

4. Growing Recreation Demand Around Pinecliff Park
The area around Pinecliff Park continues to add residential communities, including Tallyn Ridge, Renn Quarter, and other nearby developments. As the surrounding population grows, demand for convenient and flexible recreation opportunities is also likely to increase.

Community members report that reaching dedicated pickleball or rubber-matted volleyball facilities can require significant travel and that available courts may already be occupied during popular early-morning, evening, and weekend periods. Adding facilities at Pinecliff would create a closer option for nearby residents and could help distribute demand across the County’s recreation system.

5. Why Pinecliff Park Merits Evaluation
Frederick County Parks and Recreation identifies Pinecliff Park as a multi-purpose park with amenities including ball fields, basketball courts, volleyball nets, playgrounds, picnic shelters, trails, fishing and water access, and other recreational features. Dedicated pickleball and rubber-matted volleyball would complement this established recreational role.

We ask the County to determine the best location through a professional site assessment. The review should consider existing park uses, parking, grading and drainage, environmental and river-related constraints, accessibility, safety, nearby residences, noise, lighting impacts, and long-term operations and maintenance.

6. Responsible Design and Neighborhood Compatibility
We recognize that new court facilities should be designed to work well for park users.

·        Establish reasonable hours for court use and lighting.

·        Use shielded, downward-directed lighting and appropriate controls to limit spill and glare.

·        Provide safe circulation and ADA-accessible routes while protecting drainage and environmental features.

7. Funding and Implementation Options
We understand that construction, maintenance, and operating costs must be evaluated through the County’s normal planning and budget processes. We therefore encourage the County to consider a range of implementation and cost-sharing options rather than tying the proposal to a single funding method.

·        Capital-improvement or future parks-improvement funding, if the project is prioritized.

·        Phased construction if a full build-out cannot be completed at one time.

·        Reasonable reservation fees for groups seeking guaranteed court times, while preserving substantial free/open-play access.

·        County-run lessons, clinics, leagues, or tournaments that may help offset operating costs.

·        Eligible grants, partnerships, sponsorships, or community fundraising opportunities identified by the County.

Any fee structure should preserve broad public access and should be established only after the County evaluates legal, operational, equity, and administrative considerations.

8. Community Support and Online Petition
This request is supported by residents of surrounding communities and users of Pinecliff Park. An online petition is provided as evidence of community interest and as a way for residents and park users to share comments with decision-makers.

Online petition: Change.org — Lighted Rubber-Matted Volleyball Court and Pickleball Courts for Pinecliff Park

We respectfully ask the County to consider both the number of signatures and the substance of community comments when evaluating the proposal.

9. Conclusion
Pinecliff Park is already an important recreational gathering place for Frederick County residents. As nearby communities grow, the park system should continue to evaluate how recreational infrastructure can evolve with changing demand.

Dedicated pickleball courts and a lighted rubber-matted volleyball court could provide healthy, family-friendly, community-oriented recreation close to where people live, while expanding evening opportunities and strengthening Pinecliff Park’s role as a community destination.

We respectfully request that Frederick County Division of Parks and Recreation conduct a feasibility/site review, consider this concept in future planning and budget processes, and engage interested residents regarding possible next steps. We welcome the opportunity to participate in a site discussion and provide additional community feedback.

Respectfully submitted,
Sanjeewa Ranasinghe
On behalf of interested residents, surrounding communities, and Pinecliff Park users
Frederick, Maryland