To: Public Amenities Commission
From: Public Works Department
TITLE:
DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION REGARDING PROPOSED PICKLEBALL COURTS AT AVIATION PARK
SUMMARY:
Pickleball is a popular recreational activity among residents and the City has received requests to provide additional courts. During the March 31, 2026 strategic planning session, the City Council added the development of new pickleball courts at Aviation Park as an action item. At Aviation Park, there is a vacant lot next to the gymnasium that provides an opportunity to contribute towards satisfying the demand for pickleball courts. The design process for eight (8) dedicated pickleball courts at Aviation Park has been initiated by staff following strong support by City Council. A conceptual layout has been completed and a design-build Request for Proposal (RFP) is being prepared. Staff is seeking input from the public and the Public Amenities Commission on the conceptual layout before proceeding with issuance of the RFP that will define the scope of work for the design-build contractor.
BACKGROUND:
The City currently has pickleball courts located at Alta Vista Park, Perry Park, Franklin Park, Anderson Park, and Dale Page Park. At Alta Vista Park, four (4) pickleball courts are established in a space that was previously designated as one (1) tennis court. At Perry Park, Franklin Park, and Anderson Park, there are dual usage courts that contain striping for pickleball within existing basketball/volleyball courts. At Dale Page Park, there is an area adjacent to the basketball court that includes markings for one (1) pickleball court. Alta Vista Park is the only location that provides pickleball nets and dedicated court space for pickleball that is available for reservations and drop-in play.
The City has fielded requests from residents for more dedicated spaces for pickleball. An empty field at Aviation Park was targeted as a prospective location to construct pickleball courts. The field is bounded by Aviation Gymnasium to the southwest, a Northrup Grumman child development center to the northwest, and Northrup Grumman parking lots to the northeast and southeast. Hirsch and Associates (Hirsch), a City consultant, prepared a feasibility study in November 2021 to provide a rough estimate to construct 6 stand-alone pickleball courts and identify potential site constraints. The study was presented to the Recreation and Parks Commission in January 2022 and was met with their support.
Over the course of 3 years, funds were allocated for construction of pickleball facilities at Aviation Park as part of the Capital Improvement Program budget: $320,000 in FY 2024-25, $275,000 in FY 2025-26, and $600,000 in FY 2026-27. To accelerate the timeline, City staff is executing this project through a design-build process, as opposed to traditional design-bid-build. Field exploration tasks were conducted in Summer 2026 to prepare a site survey and geotechnical report. Concurrently, Hirsch was reengaged to prepare a design-build RFP and corresponding preliminary plans.
The RFP will outline the goals of the project and define a general scope of work for the contractors to base their proposal. The attached preliminary plans will establish a court layout, illustrate approximate location and quantity of key site elements, and expand on the scope of work defined in the RFP. At this time, a conceptual layout of the site has been completed (Attachment 1). The RFP is anticipated to be issued in November 2026.
DISCUSSION:
Staff would like to highlight components in the conceptual layout that are intended to enhance comfort for the players. Elements that are considered a priority are court orientation, proper grading, and fencing. The north-south orientation of the courts will minimize direct sun exposure in the player’s line of sight. In order to maintain a relatively flat playing surface, a retaining wall is proposed on the west and south sides of the site. Each court will be separated by fencing and accessed by individual entrances to regulate the reservation system without assigning a City employee to be present onsite. The fencing will also keep balls in their respective play areas and reduce interruptions to adjacent courts. Due to budgetary considerations, additional improvements will be evaluated with the design-build contractor for practicability such as court lighting and bleacher seating. Light poles and bleachers are conceptually depicted in the current layout to demonstrate potential placement and their inclusion remains subject to confirmation based on funding availability.
The City is interested in acquiring feedback from the public and Public Amenities Commission on the conceptual site layout and overall approach of the project. The RFP and corresponding preliminary plans will provide an overview of the City’s desires. Staff will evaluate the received proposals and select a design-build contractor that best meets the City’s criteria. Feasibility of items such as court lighting and windscreens will be verified with the design-build contractor. Details such as court surfacing, paddle racks, and benches will be approved during the construction submittal process.
COORDINATION:
This project is being coordinated with the Public Works and Community Services Departments.
Prepared by:
Sean Chotikasatien, Civil Engineer
Submitted by:
Andrew Winje, Public Works Director
ATTACHMENTS:
1. Conceptual Site Layout