Encinitas parks commissioners continue debate over Cottonwood Creek tennis, pickleball balance after resident urges retaining tennis

A resident urged the Encinitas Parks and Recreation Commission on Thursday to keep at least one tennis court at Cottonwood Creek Park and to seek a more balanced approach as the city considers converting courts for pickleball use.

"While pickleball is popular, it should not come at the expense of tennis," Sunny Kim said. Kim identified herself as a 31‑year resident of Cardiff and co‑owner of Seaside Racquets in Encinitas. She told commissioners she understood the December proposal would reconfigure Cottonwood Creek Park courts to allow expanded pickleball play and asked the commission to preserve public tennis access for children and adults.

Kim also proposed alternatives for accommodating pickleball, including using underutilized basketball courts at Scott Valley, Lucania Oaks, Olympus and Glen Echo parks; cooperative use of middle and high school courts; and considering the L7 parcel for an active recreation site. "I strenuously urge that the Parks and Rec Department consider using a major use permit to develop Encinitas Lot L7 as a park for active recreational activities such as tennis, pickleball, table tennis, dance," she said.

Chair Ritter and Parks Manager Norgaard acknowledged strong public interest and described the topic as high‑visibility. Manager Norgaard said an ad hoc committee has made recommendations and "we can have a discussion about... how to implement some of those and maybe carrying into the next work plan year to include some more public comment." The commission did not adopt final language at the meeting and directed the ad hoc and staff to finalize outcome wording for presentation at the February meeting.

Commissioners also discussed related items that city council previously directed them to investigate: whether to remove the Moonlight Beach tennis/pickleball court and replace it with a court at Cottonwood Creek Park. Commissioners said they would prefer to have a full commission present before taking a recommendation or vote; no formal recommendation was adopted at the meeting.

In a separate operational note that drew from staff comments, Manager Norgaard said the Bobby Riggs facility is permitted for seven tennis courts but is operating a larger number of pickleball courts and "I believe that they're gonna be required to obtain a permit for that use." That matter is a permit compliance issue rather than a policy decision by the commission.

Next steps: the ad hoc committee will finalize recommended outcome language with staff and return the item for commission review in February. The commission indicated it plans further public outreach before forwarding a recommendation to city council if policy or budget changes are involved.