Shared-Use Courts Guidelines Pilot

The Austin Parks and Recreation Department (PARD) relies on shared-use courts throughout the park system to allow for flexibility of desires sports at various locations. With the increased popularity of sports such as pickleball, PARD has developed initial guidelines for outdoor courts used for multiple sports. The initial guidelines have been implemented for a pilot period at 4 locations: Pan American Neighborhood Park, Rosewood Neighborhood Park, South Austin Neighborhood Park, and Dick Nichols District Park. City Council Districts 1, 2, 8

Community Feedback Opportunities:

Shared-Use Courts Guidelines Feedback Form

Image of shared-use courts at South Austin Neighborhood Park showing pickleball court and net, tennis court and net, basketball goals, trees in background

Background

Since the pandemic, the Department faces significant demand for use of outdoor courts. Much of this has been fueled by the explosion in popularity of pickleball. The lack of clarity and increased demand on the courts has led to frustration and confusion for community members who want access to the courts for their preferred sport or are unhappy with the noise and behaviors around court use. The sites with the most community comments over the past year or more have been at Dick Nichols District Park, South Austin Neighborhood Park, Rosewood Neighborhood Park, and Pan American Neighborhood Park.

Project Description

To increase greater clarity and encourage guidance for community-managed use at the courts, the Department has developed initial guidelines that will be piloted at the shared-use courts at the four parks mentioned above. The goal of these guidelines is to support community members effectively sharing these courts and avoiding conflict across groups and sports.

Objectives:

Share initial guidelines with community members and explain how they should function.
Understand the views of community members in response to the guidelines.
Gather ideas about what elements are missing in the guidelines and how they can be improved.
Connect with court users who use the courts for various recreational activities.
Identify conflicts that arise and evaluate whether guidelines address these conflicts.

Guidelines for Pilot Project

Please share the courts!
[Unless otherwise noted,] Playing time is available on a first-come, first-served basis. No saving courts for others.*
If others are waiting for a court, do not exceed 60 minutes of play. If no one is waiting for the court, play may continue.
No tournament, round robin, or "winner stays" play exceeding 60 minutes while others are waiting to play.
No commercial use or for-profit lessons are allowed on public property without a permit. (?)
Marking of courts or other surfaces in any way (including but not limited to paint, chalk, tape, markers) is not authorized and is considered defacing property. Tape adhesive can cause permanent damage to courts.
Personal items (such as portable nets, temporary court boundary lines, etc.) must be removed upon leaving the court.
Altering existing non-adjustable nets or installing additional nets is not authorized and is considered defacing property.
No alcohol allowed in City of Austin Parks.**

*Pan American Neighborhood Park includes "unless otherwise noted" with this explainer:

Courts may be contracted out to local organizations for use on certain days and times. All times will be posted on site.
Please finish play at the posted time. Play may resume afterwards on a first-come, first served-basis.

**In accordance with City Code.