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Encinitas parks commission debates tennis vs. pickleball at Cottonwood Creek; final recommendation deferred
Summary
The Parks and Recreation Commission reviewed its 2024–25 work plan and discussed reprioritizing courts at Cottonwood Creek Park after public comment urging preservation of tennis. The ad hoc group will finalize recommendation and staff will bring final language to the Feb. meeting; no formal vote was taken.
The Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission on an unnamed meeting date reviewed its annual work plan and again took up the question of how to allocate courts at Cottonwood Creek Park, saying the ad hoc will finalize recommended outcome language and return to the commission in February.
Sunny Kim, a Cardiff resident and co‑owner of Seaside Rackets in Encinitas, told the commission she supports pickleball but urged the city not to remove tennis access: “It’s crucial to honor the original vision and retain at least one tennis court at this park to ensure public access for children of all ages, as well as adults,” Kim said. She proposed alternatives including using underused basketball courts at Scott Valley, Lucania Oaks, Olympus and Glen Echo, and cooperative use of middle and high school courts.
Chair Ritter and staff reiterated that the commission’s ad hoc has produced recommendations but that members remain divided over whether the ad hoc should deliver firm recommendations or continue to collect public feedback. Manager Norgaard said the commission has reviewed a feasibility study for Encinitas Community Park that showed space to add both pickleball and tennis, but that adding amenities would require council allocation of funds.
The commission also noted a city council direction to evaluate removing the tennis/pickleball court at Moonlight Beach and replacing it with a court at Cottonwood Creek; commissioners said they expect to return a formal recommendation after full-commission consideration. Because a full commission was not present, members opted to defer any final vote on the Moonlight Beach/Cottonwood proposal until a future meeting.
Next steps: the ad hoc will continue discussions with staff, finalize outcome language and send it to Manager Norgaard for distribution to the full commission ahead of the February meeting. The commission requested additional community outreach before making a formal recommendation to city council.
