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North Castle board backs studying dedicated pickleball courts, asks staff for proposal and possible grants
Summary
After a presentation from Parks & Recreation, the Town Board directed staff to study dedicated pickleball courts at potential sites including Winkler Park, Wampus Brook South and pool-area courts, to prepare cost estimates and pursue state/local grant opportunities. The board noted about $600,000 in town recreation funds might be available.
Supervisor Rendy and town recreation officials agreed on Wednesday to move forward with a study of dedicated pickleball facilities after a presentation from Superintendent of Recreation and Parks Matt Treanor and extended public comment.
Treanor told the board the Parks & Recreation Advisory Board supports exploring dedicated courts and suggested Winkler Park as a pilot site because municipal work on those courts is already needed. "We currently have pickleball lines in the North White Plains gym, at Lombardi Park and at Winkler," Treanor said, urging staff to identify options for rehabilitation or conversion.
Several residents and advisory-board members urged the town to provide permanent courts. Peter Gold, speaking for local players, said demand is growing and that the town likely will need multiple courts to meet playership; he recommended planning for roughly six courts to satisfy current demand. Resident Steve Rossi and others said central, accessible locations — including in or near Armonk — would better serve seniors and younger players alike.
Board members raised familiar trade-offs: preserving existing tennis and paddle-tennis (platform tennis) resources, parking impacts near downtown and historic-district sensitivities for sites such as Wampus Brook Park South. Council members asked staff to evaluate repurposing existing tennis and basketball courts as an interim measure and to analyze parking and noise impacts before any final siting decision.
Supervisor Rendy emphasized the importance of a shovel-ready plan when pursuing grants. He told the board the town has roughly $600,000 in a recreation fund from subdivision contributions that is legally available for recreation improvements and noted state grants may be available for park construction. "The next step is, at least in my opinion, let Matt continue to work with our folks in the Town Engineering's office," Rendy said, asking staff to prepare cost estimates, funding options and a timeline.
The board asked Recreation staff to present a formal proposal at a future work session focused on locations and feasibility. The work session will explore existing-court conversions, new-site options, potential parking solutions and grant timing; board members emphasized avoiding unexpected costs by preparing detailed, shovel-ready applications if grant funding is sought.
What happens next: Town staff will evaluate sites (Winkler Park, pool-area courts, Wampus Brook South and other municipal properties), produce cost and impact estimates, and present those findings in a work session for further board direction.
