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Pickleball players press Franklin staff for on-site storage and replacement windscreens after July 4 damage
Summary
Players said volunteers' paddle holders and some windscreens were removed after a July 4 tournament; commissioners and staff agreed to review storage options that meet ADA and safety rules and to bring site photos and proposals to the next meeting.
Players and volunteers who run the city's informal pickleball program asked Franklin staff at the July 14 meeting to find a secure, on-site storage solution after several court windscreens were cut during a July 4 tournament and volunteers said equipment had been shifted.
"They're up, but some of them were cut down for the July 4. So we're not putting the ones that were cut down back up because it was requested by another group," a volunteer said, describing the windscreens that had been removed during a tournament. Tournament organizers had used the space for a July 4 event and, according to players, cut some windscreens to accommodate their setup.
Players also asked the city to consider a locked plastic storage bin at the courts to avoid hauling nets, paddle holders and other gear across campus. Volunteers said repeatedly carrying equipment around the site is difficult, particularly for older volunteers. One volunteer proposed a heavy-duty plastic bin that could be locked with a real-estate style lock; staff raised ADA and sidewalk clearance constraints as factors that must be considered before installation.
City staff and commissioners agreed to several next steps: volunteers will prepare a short site diagram showing two preferred bin locations and send the diagrams and photos to staff before the commission's next meeting; parks staff will evaluate ADA clearance, safety and liability concerns; and staff will follow up with the Civic Celebration Committee to identify whether tournament organizers removed or damaged equipment.
Why it matters: pickleball is a growing recreational activity and volunteers provide much of the daily coordination; local players said modest capital investment (a secured bin or improved pad locations) would reduce setup time and protect equipment from loss or vandalism.
Ending: Commissioners asked volunteers to bring diagrams and photos to staff ahead of the next meeting. Staff said they will review options and report back, including whether an interim solution (keyed shelter access or secured bin) is feasible before next season.
