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Council votes to reopen Gilchrist Park courts as eight pickleball courts with planting buffer
Summary
After debate over spacing, safety and acoustics, council approved configuring eight resurfaced courts, replacing fencing and increasing vegetation buffers to reduce noise; staff estimated roughly $62,000 for resurfacing and landscaping.
PUNTA GORDA, Fla. — Punta Gorda city councilors on Wednesday approved reopening and resurfacing the Gilchrist Park courts, configuring them as eight pickleball courts, increasing vegetation buffering and replacing fencing.
Public Works staff sought direction on court layout, fencing height and sound mitigation before a planned resurfacing. Ryan Harris of Public Works explained staff were seeking a configuration and noted that resurfacing could accommodate eight courts without substantial additional cost beyond adding nets and removing benches.
Finance Director Kristen Semino told the council an earlier estimate produced by staff showed $52,000 for resurfacing tennis, basketball and pickleball courts plus about $10,500 for landscaping — roughly $62,500 total. Semino said adding two nets to reach eight usable pickleball courts would not require a separate resurfacing contract.
Pickleball players and park users spoke during public comment. One community member recommended removing bench obstacles and using planting instead of removable acoustic panels. Player advocates said six courts would improve pace-of-play and safety; others said eight courts best serve recreational demand. Council members debated whether recreational play or higher-density use should guide layout.
After discussion the council voted to configure the site for eight courts, increase a vegetation buffer intended to reduce noise, replace the fencing and lower fence heights to commonly recommended levels (an eight-foot backstop and four-foot side rails were discussed). Council also directed staff to remove benches that presented trip hazards and to coordinate volunteer and donation options for site furnishings.
The approved plan includes replacing fencing, adding plant-based sound mitigation and opening all courts following resurfacing; staff said the drainage problem on the courts could be evaluated as part of the work and might require additional cost if courts must be raised. Council did not approve a separate appropriation beyond the resurfacing/landscaping estimate presented at the meeting.
