A new plan from Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) proposes changes to tennis and pickleball courts, with some updates affecting parks in and near Ballard.
SPR has released its draft Outdoor Racquet Sports Strategy outlining proposed changes to how tennis and pickleball courts are managed across the city. The plan responds to increased demand for both sports and aims to balance access within the existing park system. It is based on several years of data, community input, and planning work, and is now open for public review before being finalized and implemented.
A key proposal would end the practice of “dual use,” where tennis courts are striped for both tennis and pickleball. According to the draft, this approach led to conflicts between users, including disputes over reservations and court access.
Instead, courts would be designated for a single sport: either pickleball or tennis. Under the proposal, Gilman Playground (923 NW 54th St) would be dedicated for tennis use only, while nearby Discovery Park would be designated for pickleball.
The plan also identifies Discovery Park as a potential “hub” for pickleball, meaning it could receive future investments such as lighting or other improvements and serve as a focal point for organized play.
In addition to court designations, the strategy outlines changes to how pickleball is played at certain sites. Some locations would be designated for “open play,” a rotating, drop-in format that differs from reserved court use. Discovery Park is among the sites proposed for open play.
The draft also acknowledges that ending dual use would reduce the number of available pickleball courts in the short term. To address this, the city plans to explore options for expanding court capacity.
One of the primary strategies would focus on identifying new pickleball court locations on existing hard surfaces. The city plans to evaluate areas near several parks, including locations close to Gilman Playground, as well as Alki Playground, Walt Hundley Playfield, and Rainier Beach Playfield.
SPR notes that building entirely new courts can be costly and constrained by space and funding, making the use of existing surfaces a more feasible near-term option.
The department said it will gather public feedback on the draft before finalizing the strategy and beginning implementation.
The proposal comes amid ongoing debate about how to balance tennis and pickleball use in Seattle parks.
My Ballard previously reported changes to court hours and pickleball access at Gilman Playground as demand for court time has grown.
To learn more about the plan and get involved in public feedback, follow this link.
Photo: Seattle Parks