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Commission recommends closing El Roble Park tennis courts, cites trip-and-fall liability from root intrusion
Summary
After staff showed photos of severe root intrusion and alligatored asphalt, the commission voted to recommend the courts at El Roble Park be closed and removed for safety and liability reasons; staff and commissioners noted replacement or relocation decisions will be part of the parks master plan process.
Staff presented a condition assessment for El Roble Park’s courts, which showed extensive cracking, root intrusion and surface deterioration that staff said create a trip-and-fall liability.
"We have conditions there that are ripe for trip and fall and situations," a staff member said, explaining that root structures under the courts were causing significant uplift and that continuing to leave the surface in place risks injuries and potential claims.
Community members urged reuse of the space for active recreation. "My kids and many in the neighborhood use that park every day," Alison Robinson said, urging the commission to consider refurbishing the sport surface to serve youth and adults. But staff and commissioners noted the technical constraints: root intrusion from mature park trees, the cost and limited lifespan of resurfacing, and the risk that future repairs could damage large park trees.
After public comment and discussion, the commission moved to recommend the City Council close and remove the El Roble courts for safety and liability mitigation and to consider longer-term replacement or reprogramming of the site as part of the upcoming parks master plan. Staff said demolition and replacement would require funding and that they will present options to the council for prioritization under the master plan budget and phasing.
