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City survey shows strong support for more pickleball courts; parks staff outline candidate sites and next steps
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Summary
A December survey of 1,895 respondents found 78% were pickleball players and 79% want additional courts; Parks staff said they will budget for courts, pursue site identifications (Owyhee Park, Optimus Youth Sports Complex, Alta Harris and Molineux parks) and engage neighborhoods before any conversions.
Boise Parks and Recreation staff told the commission that a month-long survey launched Dec. 1 drew 1,895 responses and showed strong demand for more pickleball courts across the city.
"We got 1,895 responses, which is fantastic," Superintendent Roseanne Brown said. Brown said 78% of respondents were pickleball players and 22% were not; 55% said they were dissatisfied with current availability, 79% wanted additional courts and 68% said they would accept conversion of existing tennis courts in some cases.
Staff said these results inform a five-year management plan that aims for 25% of the city's courts to be available for pickleball; the city is currently at about 16 percent dedicated. Candidate locations mentioned during the meeting included Owyhee Park, a potential new court at the Optimus Youth Sports Complex (with a potential private funder), Alta Harris Park and Molineux Park. Brown said the department is budgeting funds and, where appropriate, will seek master-plan amendments and neighborhood input before changing use of any site.
Commissioners raised neighborhood noise and conversion concerns. Brown and other staff noted prior steps the department is taking to mitigate impacts, including siting conversations and the use of multi-use striping (both tennis and pickleball lines) where appropriate. Staff also described partnerships with the Boise School District that make roughly 38 school courts available outside school hours. The department noted a prior noise-related lawsuit and settlement at Willow Lane that influenced its approach to conversion and neighborhood communications.
Several commissioners stressed that any change in use will include a public hearing and a formal amendment process; staff reiterated a contact email (bpr@cityofBoise.org) and said the department is posting court locations and plans on its website and social media. Some candidate projects do not yet have identified funding; staff said requests for funding for two parks are being sought in the FY2027 budget (funds, if approved, would be available Oct. 1, 2026).
Staff did not present a request for an immediate vote; the item was informational and staff will return with specific proposals and required public-notice processes.
