Belmont to switch tennis and pickleball reservations to Rec platform; Sept. 1 launch set

Belmont Parks and Recreation staff and representatives from Rec Technologies told the Parks and Recreation Commission on July 16 that the city will replace its existing court-reservation system with Rec, a web-based reservations platform, and plans to launch the new system on Sept. 1.

The department cited repeated bot reservations, limited reporting and a poor user experience with the current vendor. Cody (Parks and Recreation staff) said staff chose Rec after evaluating those limits and seeking stronger customer authentication and reporting tools.

Rec representative Lindsay, speaking remotely, described features the company will enable for Belmont: QR codes posted at courts that link to a live calendar, mobile verification by SMS to limit bot accounts, adjustable booking limits and live support for residents and administrators. “We’re providing you all with custom signage,” Lindsay said. “We’re also gonna be implementing mobile verification.”

Why it matters: The change aims to reduce no-shows and quota abuses that have frustrated players and staff and to give on-site users a single, visible source of truth at courts via QR codes. The system’s features also let staff protect reserved times for community programming while enabling private reservations.

Key parameters and pilot details: Parks staff and Rec said Belmont’s current configuration will limit users to two bookings per day and six per week, and allow bookings up to seven days in advance. The department configured a same‑day “buffer” so last-minute reservations cannot bump people already using courts; Rec said a two‑hour buffer was proposed. Lindsay said Rec can enforce the booking limits and SMS verification once those switches are enabled. She said: “You can book same day appointments, but … we can configure … a buffer. So this would basically say, you know, if it’s noon, you can only book a reservation that same day for 2 p.m. and later.”

Operations and enforcement: The platform includes an admin calendar for staff to block community programming and to create drop‑in hours or instructor blocks. Rec offers check‑in functionality and a staff-initiated check‑in for memberships and classes; the company is exploring QR-code check‑in for courts but noted privacy and geolocation concerns. Lindsay said Rec administrators can see a user’s activity across organizations; Belmont administrators will see Belmont-specific data only. Rec also supports payment add‑ons, picnic and field rentals, leagues and punch‑pass memberships in other cities.

No‑shows and verification: Commissioners asked how no‑shows will be deterred. Rec said mobile verification by SMS and booking limits are the primary technical tools; some cities also add small fees to deter repeat no‑shows. Cody said staff will continue to refine enforcement policies. “Theoretically” accounts with repeated no‑shows could be suspended, staff said, but added that enforcement is difficult in practice.

Launch timing and outreach: Rec said the system will be live for use beginning Sept. 1; reservations will open seven days before that date. Staff plan email outreach to past bookers and social media messaging, and will place printed signage and QR codes at courts. Commissioner questions focused on cancellation notifications, resident priority settings and whether Reminders/confirmation emails are sent; Rec said confirmations and reminders are part of the platform and cancellation notifications and additional features are on Rec’s product roadmap.

What’s next: Staff will finish configuration (mobile verification and booking limits) and continue community outreach. Commissioners asked staff to return with updates on performance and on any needed rule changes for enforcement or residency verification.

Ending: The commission expressed general support for the move, noting the system addresses known problems with the current platform and should improve access to courts for Belmont residents.