Committee approves eight permanent pickleball courts and two basketball courts at Hillcrest Park

The Parks, Recreation and Beautification Committee voted to reconfigure the Hillcrest Park sports courts to include eight permanent pickleball courts and two permanent basketball courts.

Russell Hooper, Parks staff, reviewed options originally included in the capital improvement plan — a basketball/tennis court with a pickleball overlay — and described layout and fencing choices. Hooper said the project team considered maintaining a tennis configuration but members questioned whether the city needed new tennis courts when school-district courts are available. "We've decided to do the sports courts at Hillcrest Park," Hooper said, outlining several layout options including permanent pickleball courts, split basketball/pickleball layouts and fences to control balls.

Committee members pressed staff on access to nearby High School tennis courts. A school-district representative, Mr. Brady, described a gated access plan the district is preparing so community members can use school courts outside regular school hours: "We'll cut in a gate right there on the 21st Street entrance ... they would have full access to the courts" after the fencing and gate work is complete. Commissioners discussed costs and timeline, with staff citing project components including concrete, surfacing, fencing and lighting. Committee Chair moved the recommendation and a motion passed by voice vote to proceed with the eight pickleball / two basketball design and to transfer the contract details to staff for execution.

The motion to adopt the Hillcrest layout was made, seconded and carried by committee voice vote. Staff said they will follow up with final quotes and schedule adjustments; the project was described as beginning after concrete removal and curing, with a projected start in early September for court work and lighting.