Item No. 9
Town of Atherton
CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT – REGULAR AGENDA
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
GEORGE RODERICKS, CITY MANAGER
FROM: ROBERT OVADIA, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
DATE: JULY 17, 2024
SUBJECT: INTERIM UPDATE - PICKLEBALL PILOT AT HOLBROOKPALMER PARK
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the Council receive an interim update on the pickleball pilot at HolbrookPalmer Park.
BACKGROUND
Beginning February 2022, the Park & Recreation Committee undertook a review of pickleball options for Holbrook-Palmer Park which ultimately made its way to the City Council in March 2023. In March 2023, the Council directed that staff work with a Subcommittee of the City Council to create a community interest survey for pickleball at Holbrook-Palmer Park.
The purpose of the Survey was to understand and gather comments, both positive and negative, that would serve as a guide to the Council’s decision-making about pickleball in the Park. The Survey was released in early April 2023 and closed at the end of May 2023. The survey results were presented to the City Council at their regular meeting on July 19, 2023. Following discussion, the Council directed staff to review the costs of implementing a pickleball trial at Holbrook-Palmer Park by converting Court 1 for dual use with two pickleball courts striped over the existing tennis court and bring back to the City Council for review and direction.
Staff presented approximate costs for implementing the pilot program as outlined by the City Council for discussion at the September 20, 2023, regular City Council Meeting, and the City Council approved the implementation of the pickleball trial in October 2023, for implementation in January 2024.
ANALYSIS
Following Council approval of the pickleball trial, staff coordinated the striping of Court 1 to accommodate two pickleball courts (one on each side of the tennis net), purchased portable nets, Pickleball Pilot Update
JULY 17, 2024
and coordinated with Player Capital Tennis to adjust the court reservation system to accommodate pickleball reservations on Court 1 during trial hours. The pickleball courts were available for reservation and use beginning on January 22, 2024, during approved hours. Court 1 is available for tennis reservations during non-pickleball hours. Staff also contracted with MCE to purchase and install the sound baffling materials on the interior fences of Court 1. The baffling material was installed on April 23, 2024.
Estimated Pickleball usage, based on reservations made through the On-line Court Reservation information provided by Player Capital Tennis is as follows:
Month Hours
January 2024 8
February 2024 15.5
March 2024 24
April 2024 52.5
May 2024 84.5
June 2024 124
As noted in the table, early usage of the pickleball courts were low in the initial months, likely due to the weather and awareness of the trial. Usage has been increasing steadily, with approximately 124 hours of reserved use in June 2024.
An assessment survey of the was released on June 20, 2024, and will be collecting input through the end of July. A high-level summary of interim results (July 8, 2024) are as follows:
High-level Summary (83 respondents):
• Residency:
Atherton 53
Menlo Park 25
Redwood City 2
Other (please specify) 3
• Are you aware of the trial?
Yes 78
No 4
• Do you use the courts:
For tennis 8
For pickleball 48
For both tennis and pickleball 9
I am a park visitor 14
I am a park neighbor 4
Pickleball Pilot Update
JULY 17, 2024
• Are you a current key holder:
Yes 39
No 44
• Did you purchase key for the trial?
Yes 29
No 52
• Easy or Difficult to reserve a court?
Easy 40
Somewhat difficult 12
Difficult 5
• On average, how many hours of Pickleball at Holbrok-Palmer Park:
I don't use the courts for pickleball 17
1 - 2 hours per month 12
1 - 2 hours per week 16
2 - 5 hours per week 18
greater than 5 hours per week 8
Other (please specify) 9
• Opinion of temporary pickleball courts:
generally positive 67
generally negative 13
• Does sound baffling make a difference:
Yes 45
No 4
Can't tell a difference 24
• Should reservations be required?
Yes, always 21
Mostly reservation, with limited drop-in play 30
Mostly drop-in, with limited reservation 16
No, never (drop-in only) 10
• Should the Town consider permanent pickleball facilities:
Yes 72
No 8
• If permanent courts were provided, where should they be located:
Continued joint use of an existing tennis court 13
Pickleball Pilot Update
JULY 17, 2024
Conversion of an existing tennis court to full-time pickleball court(s) 41 Separate court or courts located elsewhere in the park 18 Detailed interim results are provided in Attachment #1.
Anecdotally, year to date key sales (as of July 3, 2024) are 129 keys. A total of 99 keys were sold last year.
FISCAL IMPACT
None at this time.
GOAL ALIGNMENT
This Report and its contents are in alignment with the following Council Policy Goals:
• Goal Area F – Be Forward-Thinking, Well-Managed, and Well-Planned
POLICY FOCUS
The policy focus for this item is related to pickleball usage at Holbrook-Palmer Park.
PUBLIC NOTICE
Public notification was achieved by posting the agenda, with this agenda item being listed, at least 72 hours prior to the meeting in print and electronically. Information about the project is also disseminated via the Town’s electronic News Flash and Atherton Online. There are approximately 1,200 subscribers to the Town’s electronic News Flash publications. Subscribers include residents as well as stakeholders –to include, but be not limited to, media outlets, school districts, Menlo Park Fire Protection District, service provides (water, power, and sewer), and regional elected officials.
COMMISSION/COMMITTEE FEEDBACK/REFERRAL
This item has not been before a Town Committee or Commission
ATTACHMENTS
1. Pickleball Trial Assessment Interim Survey Results