As tennis players living and playing in Queens, NY, we are facing a significant challenge. Our beloved tennis courts at Cunningham Park are under threat of being converted into pickleball courts. These tennis courts serve as the heart of our community's recreational activities and are already over-used with long waits due to the limited number of public tennis facilities in Queens/NYC.

The proposal to convert two of these precious few courts into pickleball courts is not only unfair but also unreasonable. It would significantly reduce the space available for us, the local tennis community, while there are other viable options for installing pickleball facilities such as the empty parking lots or nearby handball courts. There is no shortage of unused space in Cunningham Park.

We understand and appreciate that promoting healthful recreational activities is important. However, it should not come at the expense of existing sports communities who have been using these facilities for years.

According to USTA (United States Tennis Association), there has been a 22% increase in new players since 2020 which indicates that demand for public tennis court facilities will continue to grow (source: USTA). Therefore, preserving our current resources is crucial.

We urge you to stay firm on your decision to Not give up any tennis courts and find alternative locations for establishing new pickleball courts. Please sign this petition if you support preserving these vital community assets.