Request to Convert an Existing Tennis Court to Pickleball Courts and, if Necessary, Modify Current Court-Use Rules as an Interim Solution

To: The Honorable Mayor and City Council City of Chula Vista Chula Vista Parks and Recreation Commission Chula Vista Recreation Department

Re: Request to Expand Public Pickleball Access at Millenia Park and Throughout Chula Vista

Dear Honorable Mayor, City Council Members, Parks and Recreation Commission, and Recreation Department:

We, the undersigned residents, community members, and pickleball players of Chula Vista, respectfully petition the City of Chula Vista to take action to expand public access to pickleball courts in our community.

Our primary request is for the City to evaluate the conversion of an existing, underutilized public tennis court into dedicated pickleball courts, particularly at Millenia Park, or at another appropriate City-owned recreational facility where community demand warrants such an improvement.

We recognize that converting an existing tennis court may require planning, funding, community input, facility-use analysis, and other considerations. If an immediate conversion is not feasible, we respectfully request that the City consider modifying the current court-use rules at Millenia Park as an interim measure to allow multiple pickleball courts to be used simultaneously when courts are available and during designated pickleball hours.

Why Expanded Pickleball Access Is Needed Pickleball has experienced tremendous growth throughout the United States and Southern California and has become an increasingly popular recreational activity for people of all ages and skill levels. The sport provides an affordable and accessible form of exercise while encouraging social interaction and community involvement. Children, adults, seniors, families, veterans, and people with varying physical abilities can all participate.

As participation continues to increase, however, the demand for available public pickleball court space has outpaced the availability of dedicated facilities. Players frequently encounter crowded courts, extended waiting periods, and limited opportunities to participate. We believe Chula Vista’s public recreational facilities should evolve with the needs and interests of the community.

Our Primary Request:

Convert an Existing Tennis Court We respectfully ask the City to evaluate existing tennis-court usage and determine whether at least one suitable public tennis court can be converted into dedicated pickleball courts.

 A single tennis court can potentially accommodate multiple pickleball courts, substantially increasing the number of residents who can participate at one time while making more efficient use of existing recreational space.

This request is not intended to eliminate or diminish tennis opportunities in Chula Vista. Rather, we are asking the City to evaluate actual community usage and demand and consider a reasonable balance between tennis and pickleball facilities.

The goal is to provide recreational opportunities that reflect the current needs of Chula Vista residents while preserving appropriate opportunities for tennis players.

An Interim Solution: Allow Multiple Pickleball Courts to Operate Simultaneously

If converting a tennis court is not currently feasible because of cost, scheduling, construction, planning, or other City considerations, we respectfully request that the City consider a temporary or alternative change to the existing court-use policy at Millenia Park.

Under the current policy, pickleball players may be limited to using one court at a time, resulting in additional players waiting while other courts remain unavailable for pickleball play.

We respectfully ask the City to consider allowing multiple pickleball courts to operate simultaneously, particularly during designated pickleball hours or whenever courts are available and not being used for other authorized activities.

This would provide an immediate way to increase recreational access without requiring construction or permanent modification of the facility.

Proposed Interim Rules

We are not requesting unrestricted or exclusive control of the courts. Instead, we propose a fair and organized system that maximizes public access while maintaining safety and appropriate use.

The City could consider:

* Allowing multiple pickleball courts to be used simultaneously during designated pickleball hours.

* Establishing specific pickleball-use periods based on demonstrated community demand.

* Maintaining reasonable court-rotation rules to ensure fair access and prevent individuals or groups from monopolizing courts.

* Allowing courts to remain available for other authorized recreational activities when not designated for pickleball. * Posting clear rules and signage regarding court use, rotation, safety, noise, and respectful conduct.

* Implementing the change on a trial basis, such as 60, 90, or 120 days.

* Evaluating court usage, participation, wait times, and community feedback following the trial period.

* Using the results of the trial to determine whether a permanent rule change or eventual court conversion would better serve the community.

Benefits to the Chula Vista Community

Expanding access to pickleball would provide numerous public benefits, including:

1. Greater access to physical activity Pickleball provides an enjoyable way for residents to exercise and maintain an active lifestyle.

2. Reduced waiting times Allowing multiple courts to operate simultaneously would enable more residents to play rather than waiting on the sidelines.

3. Better utilization of existing facilities Where courts are available, allowing their use for pickleball would help maximize the City’s existing recreational infrastructure.

4. Recreation for multiple generations Pickleball can bring together children, adults, seniors, families, and friends in a shared recreational environment.

5. Stronger community connections Pickleball is inherently social and provides residents with opportunities to meet, exercise, and build relationships within their community.

6. A practical and cost-conscious approach Changing court-use rules could provide an immediate improvement in access without the expense of constructing a new facility. In the longer term, converting an appropriate existing court could provide a more permanent solution.

A Request Based on Community Need We respectfully ask the City of Chula Vista to consider both short-term and long-term solutions.

Short-Term Solution Modify the current rules at Millenia Park to allow multiple pickleball courts to be used simultaneously during designated times or when courts are available.

Long-Term Solution

Evaluate existing tennis-court usage and community demand and consider converting at least one appropriate public tennis court into dedicated pickleball courts, either at Millenia Park or another suitable Chula Vista recreation facility.

This two-step approach would allow the City to address the immediate demand while also considering a sustainable long-term recreational solution.

 Request for City Review Accordingly, we respectfully request that the City of Chula Vista:

1. Review current pickleball and tennis court usage at Millenia Park and other appropriate City facilities.

2. Evaluate the demand for pickleball facilities and the number of residents currently seeking access.

3. Consider allowing multiple pickleball courts to operate simultaneously at Millenia Park as an immediate or trial solution.

4. Consider establishing designated pickleball hours to provide predictable access while maintaining opportunities for other recreational users.

5. Evaluate the feasibility of converting an existing tennis court into dedicated pickleball courts.

6. Seek input from residents, tennis players, pickleball players, and other community members before making permanent changes.

7. Consider pickleball facilities in future parks, recreation, and capital-improvement planning.

We believe that expanding pickleball access is a reasonable and practical way for the City of Chula Vista to respond to the recreational needs of its residents.

Most importantly, we are not asking the City to choose pickleball over tennis. We are asking the City to recognize the growing demand for pickleball and find a fair way to accommodate both sports.

Whether through a permanent court conversion, expanded hours, simultaneous court use, or a combination of these solutions, we believe Chula Vista can make better use of its existing recreational resources and provide greater opportunities for residents to remain active, healthy, and connected.

We respectfully ask the City of Chula Vista to hear the voices of its residents and consider expanding access to pickleball at Millenia Park and throughout the City.

Thank you for your time, consideration, and continued commitment to providing quality recreational opportunities for the Chula Vista community.

Respectfully submitted,

THE UNDERSIGNED RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS OF CHULA VISTA