Petition to the National Park Service (NPS): Address

To: National Park Service (NPS)

Re: Restrictions on Sand Volleyball Court Reservations

We, the undersigned, are writing to express our concern and dissatisfaction regarding the new restrictions on the reservation process for the sand volleyball courts located near the Lincoln Memorial. These courts have long served as a vital community hub for recreation, social engagement, and physical activity. Washington, D.C. is a cosmopolitan city where players of all skill levels, including international visitors, regularly join for open and accepting pickup volleyball. The only requirement has always been to call “winners” for the next game, fostering an inclusive environment.

If the current reservation policies remain unchanged, they will create inequitable access and disproportionately impact the very patrons who have maintained and enjoyed these courts since their inception. Involving the public in decision-making will only enhance the welcoming nature of this space.

We appreciate the National Park Service’s ongoing efforts to support the Lincoln Volleyball Park and its community. However, to preserve the spirit of openness and accessibility, we believe changes to the reservation process are necessary.

Background

For years, the sand volleyball courts near the Lincoln Memorial have fostered a welcoming and diverse community of players who gather regularly to engage in recreational volleyball. This space has been self-sustained through community-led maintenance and care, with players dedicating time and resources to ensure the courts remain in excellent condition for public use. The courts have historically been accessible through a fair, community-based system that has allowed both long-standing and new participants to enjoy the space.

In recent years, we have discussed this issue with the National Park Service, as the scope of league reservations has grown significantly. This trend is not limited to the Lincoln Memorial courts but extends to sand volleyball courts throughout the Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia (DMV) area. Leagues operating under nonprofit banners have increasingly leveraged loopholes in the reservation system, allowing them to dominate court access and marginalize independent players and community groups.

Currently, individual players are unable to reserve six of these courts during the week due to exclusive league use. The monopolization of these public spaces by leagues, many of which operate for profit, contradicts the guiding principles of the National Park Service and its commitment to fair public access. Additionally, these leagues have exploited reservation loopholes by booking courts before they officially become available to the public, further restricting community access.

For the past 10 years, we have been working with individuals such as Mr. Mike Litterst (mike_litterst@nps.gov), Mr. Leonard Lee (Leonard_Lee@nps.gov), and Ms. Robbin M. Owen (Robbin_Owen@nps.gov) from the National Park Service to voice our concerns about these issues. Despite our repeated efforts, our recommendations have fallen on deaf ears, and no actions have been taken to uphold the principles of the National Park Service or ensure equitable access for all stakeholders. Meanwhile, for-profit and league influence over these courts has continued to grow unchecked.

Concerns Regarding the New Reservation System

If the recently imposed reservation restrictions continue, they will create significant barriers to access by:

1. Limiting Equitable Use: Over 2,200 long-standing community members who have played at these courts for years will no longer be able to access the courts fairly due to restrictive and unclear reservation policies.

2. Enabling League Monopolization: Certain leagues operating under nonprofit banners will continue to exploit loopholes in the reservation system, allowing them to dominate court access and prevent independent players and community groups from using the space.

3. Undermining Community Efforts: The new policies will disregard the significant efforts made by the local volleyball community to care for and preserve the courts, excluding those who have consistently invested in their upkeep.

4. Reducing Public Accessibility: These public spaces, if left under the current system, will prioritize organized leagues over spontaneous, community-driven play, reducing opportunities for the broader public to enjoy the courts. Despite the fact that only 2% of original votes were in favor, the permit system was still implemented.

Our Requests

We are urging the National Park Service to revisit and revise the current reservation system to ensure it is fair, transparent, and accessible. Specifically, we are requesting that:

1. Restoring Community Access: The NPS should implement a system that prioritizes open play for long-standing community groups alongside fair access for new participants.

2. Limiting League Reservations: The NPS should establish reasonable caps on the number of advanced reservations allowed for leagues, particularly those leveraging nonprofit status, to prevent them from monopolizing the courts. Leagues should reserve under their own banner and should not use multiple individuals to reserve courts under separate names to bypass the 2-hour limit.

3. Engaging the Community: The NPS should consult directly with the local volleyball community to develop fair policies that reflect the needs of those who are actively using and maintaining the courts.

4. Preserving Public Access: The NPS should designate hours or days specifically for open, unreserved play to ensure these courts remain accessible to the broader public, especially on weekends and holidays and between 5 pm and sunset each week.

5. Reforming the Reservation Process: The NPS should enforce a rule that no reservations are permitted more than 24 hours in advance. Unless it’s a special event. Additionally, only individuals should be able to reserve courts under their own names to prevent leagues from abusing the system to gain excessive control over the courts.

Additional Considerations

Another pressing concern is the lack of an accessible toilet. For decades, DC Doubles has offered to cover the cost, which would be approximately $1,800 for the entire season. In contrast, they currently pay $7,700 in permit fees—fees that were not required for over 35 years while serving the public.

Conclusion

If no changes are made, these courts will no longer serve as the vibrant, open community space they have been for years. The sand volleyball courts are more than just a place for recreation—they are a community landmark where friendships continue to form, physical health is promoted, and public engagement thrives. We believe the National Park Service has a responsibility to uphold equitable access to public spaces and to respect the communities that continue to invest in them.

We are kindly requesting a meeting or public forum to discuss these concerns and to collaborate on a solution that benefits all stakeholders. The volleyball community only wants to help preserve and enhance the Lincoln Volleyball Park.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Signatures of Concerned Community Members: See attachment for details