Want to help support and advocate for Kiest Tennis Center?

Thursday October 8th • 10:00 AM • Park and Recreation Board meeting  • Dallas City Hall

The City of Dallas is currently working on developing the proposed contract and requirements for the next Kiest Tennis Center operator. The decisions being made now will help shape what the future of Kiest looks like and who will manage the facility going forward.

This is an important time for our community to make our voices heard.

There are two important ways you can help support and advocate for Kiest Tennis Center: send an email or speak directly at the Park Board meeting on October 8th, 2026.

Below is some information to help you with either option. Whether you choose to send an email or speak in person (virtual speaker is also an option!), your voice matters.

Every message and every speaker helps show the City how much Kiest means to our children, families, and community.

If you’re able to participate, please consider taking a few minutes to advocate for the future of Kiest Tennis Center.

The next Dallas Park Board meeting is Thursday, October 8th at 10:00 AM, and it happens to be a Dallas ISD holiday, so our kids are out of school!

We’re asking Kiest parents, students, and community members to please consider signing up to speak in support of the programs and opportunities our families have at Kiest Tennis Center.

It does NOT have to be a big time commitment! The meeting starts promptly at 10 AM, and speakers typically have only a short window to speak — at most, we’re looking at about 30 minutes for public speakers. You do not need to stay for the entire meeting.

Being there in person is especially impactful, because it shows the Park Board just how many families and community members care about Kiest. But if you’re not able to attend in person, signing up to speak virtually is just as important! Either way, your voice helps make sure our community is heard.

This is an important opportunity to make sure the Park Board hears directly from the families and community who benefit from the current programs offered at Kiest Tennis Center.

Registration to speak will open Friday October 2nd. We will send out a reminder as soon as the sign-up link becomes available so everyone has an opportunity to register.

For now, we just wanted to give everyone a heads-up so you can plan ahead and add October 8th to your calendar.

Let’s fill the room — and the virtual speaker list — with Kiest families!

Thursday October 8th • 10:00 AM • Dallas City Hall

If you would rather communicate via email that is also an option.

Please consider reaching out to your City Council representative and your Park & Recreation Board representative via email. You don’t have to write anything lengthy, share why Kiest Tennis Center matters to you and what you would like to see prioritized in the new proposed contract.

Some concerns and questions you may want to raise include:

• Making community access, programming and utilization a stronger priority in the RFP scoring.

• For the City to clearly define what affordable, low-cost and accessible programming means so those commitments can actually be measured.

• Ensuring the RFP reflects the needs of the children, families, adult players, schools and organizations currently using Kiest, as well as the surrounding community.

• Asking why pickleball is being specifically emphasized in the RFP and whether there is demonstrated community demand at Kiest to justify making it a priority.

• Protecting the existing availability of tennis courts. During youth practices and other busy periods, parents regularly see most or all of the tennis courts being used. If existing tennis courts are converted or regularly dedicated to pickleball, where will the current youth and adult tennis programming go? This isn’t about being against pickleball or advocating for any particular operator. It’s about asking the City to make decisions about Kiest based on actual community needs, current court usage, programming demand and the long-term success of the facility.

• Considering the impact on tournaments and events. Tournaments require multiple courts and can generate facility activity and revenue. If revenue and increased utilization are priorities in the new RFP, the community would like the City to consider whether reducing the number of courts available for tennis could limit Kiest’s ability to host those events.

• Establishing clear performance measures so whoever operates Kiest is accountable for the programming, partnerships and participation goals included in their proposal.

• Ensuring every potential proposer has a fair and transparent opportunity and is evaluated according to the same published criteria.

Please put your message in your own words and share your personal connection to Kiest, whether you’re a parent, player, volunteer, coach, neighbor or community supporter. Personal experiences, such as seeing courts full during your child’s practice or participating in tournaments at Kiest, can help explain why these issues matter.

Thank you for continuing to stay involved and lending your voice in support of Kiest Tennis Center!