Pickleball group pushes Coiner Park upgrades; council and staff begin planning discussion

Members of Cottage Grove’s growing pickleball community asked the City Council to support upgrades at Coyner Park that would include additional permanent courts and improved restroom facilities, prompting staff presentations and a multi-councilor discussion about options, neighborhood impacts and next steps.

Kenneth Rowe and Peggy Goode, both representing local players, told the council the group supports expanding to eight permanent courts to host tournaments and camps and offered volunteer or financial support for renovations. “Our group stands ready to contribute to this effort because it would serve all park users,” Rowe said during the public-comment period.

City Manager Mike Sauerwein distributed aerial maps and described three conceptual redevelopment areas: a southeast corner that could host a 10,000-square-foot skateboard facility within an approximately 18,000-square-foot parcel; a picnic or restroom site south of the courts; and space immediately adjacent to the existing courts where four additional pickleball courts could be added for a total of eight. Sauerwein emphasized the discussion is preliminary: “There is no money budgeted for any of this redevelopment. This is the beginning of a conversation.”

Councilors and staff discussed neighborhood impacts, noise concerns and how Bohemia Mining Days — an annual community event — uses portions of the park. Several councilors said they would not support changes that would interfere with Bohemia Mining Days. Others suggested to the pickleball advocates that forming a nonprofit to raise funds and help maintain facilities would strengthen any future proposal.

Questions about restroom maintenance and vandalism drove part of the discussion. Several speakers urged the council to prioritize improved or additional restrooms near the active courts; Rowe and Goode said the park’s existing restrooms are unsanitary and that players want a place for visitors and tournament participants. City staff noted potential grant funding and community partners would likely be needed to build new facilities and that any build would require further neighborhood outreach, design work and budgeting.

Councilors also considered a multifunctional covered area with movable skate features so the space could be reconfigured for multiple events. Mayor and council members asked staff to bring additional information, noting several council members who support continuing the conversation but stressing that no formal decision had been taken and no funds were committed.