The Deale Community Park, a future hub for recreation and community engagement, has recently undergone changes in its development plan. Unfortunately, these changes have resulted in the removal of pickleball courts from the park's blueprint. Pickleball is more than just a sport; it's an activity that promotes physical fitness, social interaction, and community bonding. According to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association (SFIA), pickleball participation grew by 21.3% in 2020 alone across America, demonstrating its growing popularity and importance to communities like ours.

The removal of these courts from our park plan not only limits recreational options for our residents but also disregards a popular demand within our community. We believe that reinstating pickleball courts into the Deale Community Park plan will greatly benefit our town by promoting healthy living and fostering a stronger sense of community among residents. ALL homes in Deale are less than 2 miles from the park which is walking or bicycle riding distance. This would allow our youth and others to be able to use the courts and also reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Next year, pickleball will be added to our public school curriculum which also emphasizes the growing need for more local, centralized courts. 

We urge Anne Arundel County Rec and Parks and those responsible for planning and development to reconsider their decision and reinstate pickleball courts back into the Deale Community Park plan or to minimally line the Deale Tennis Courts to include pickleball.

Please sign this petition to show your support for this cause.