As some of you may have heard, the City has decided it is willing to convert the tennis courts at Eagle Rock into dedicated pickleball courts if there is enough public support to do this. They are soliciting email comments and will also have a public meeting at 6:30 PM, next Wednesday July 6, at the picnic pavilion at Eagle Rock Park. However, I am very unhappy to tell you that an East End Neighborhood Association public meeting was just held, and a number of people attended who claimed they play tennis regularly at Eagle Rock. No pickleball people were there, which was very unfortunate. This has caused the City to wonder if they should go forward. Due to the neighborhood association this will be an uphill fight, so your support is crucial.
Therefore, I am writing you to strongly urge you to email the City, and also to attend the July 6 public meeting. If you want more courts, you must do this.
The City wants your email comments. You are also welcome to attend the public meeting and should. You can tell them why you think the conversion would be a good idea — your personal experiences playing pickleball, your observations of crowded courts, pickleball’s continued rapid growth, your experience playing at ERP (if you have), why expansion would be a good idea — whatever you think is appropriate. Just use your own words, be positive and say what you think.
If you play there, say you play there, say why it’s important to have courts there.
Those of you who live in or even near the east end are very important, because the City cares most about what nearby people think. When you write them, be sure to identify yourself as a person who lives on the east side or near the park, and tell them what you think and why. If you play there, say you play there. Please also go in person. The more neighborhood people who support this the better. If you know anyone else who lives near the park who would support the conversion, please encourage them to email and go in person as well.
Once again, the public meeting is next Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM, July 6, at the picnic pavilion at Eagle Rock Park.
The email address for comments to the City is bpr@cityofboise.org.
Please send your email today so you don’t forget. Also, please attend the meeting — these would be your pickleball courts and we must work hard to obtain them. With your support, we can do this!
In the PS below, I will include some talking points you might wish to use in your emails, or at the public meeting. Thank you all.
PS — TALKING POINTS
It’s best not to cut and paste these, just look at them, pick and choose, add your own thoughts, and put whatever you want in your own words. Thanks, everyone.
How many days a week you play pickleball,
- how many hours a day,
- what pickleball has given you physically, and socially
- how important it is to you, or what it has given you, socially
- how crowded courts can be now,
- how many people or paddles you see lined up on busy days at Manitou,
- there are 6 tennis courts very nearby at Fort Boise, there are no pickleball courts anywhere near Eagle Rock,
- There are only 4 pickleball courts anywhere east of 4300 West State street, but there are dozens of tennis courts
- if you play or have played tennis in the past, offer your observations on number of players in each sport, recent trends or growth in each sport,
- there are many dedicated tennis courts on the east and southeast side, but there are only 4 dedicated pickleball courts,
- have you seen pickleball grow in the last years, is it still growing, is it growing faster, do you see more and more younger people playing it?
- How many days a week you play pickleball,
Chris Clougherty
BPC President
