Still outstanding, and probably the biggest question, is whether there will be a shared pickleball/tennis court in addition to 6 dedicated pickleball courts, or whether the facility will be dedicated with 8 pickleball-only courts.

ACTION: Please send a short email to ryan.daly@mercerisland.gov by Thursday, March 2 at 3pm supporting dedicated courts as preferable for both pickleball and tennis players. This community input is essential to inform the commissioners and keep the project on track.

Why?

• There is no easy way to manage scheduling for dual-usage courts. Shared courts would create tension and conflicts between pickleball and tennis players who use the courts very differently (extended drop-in play vs. single sessions). Mercer Island City staff currently has indicated it would not create any rules for shared courts, leaving it to players to work out usage on their own.

• There are 14 other dedicated public tennis courts on the island that are rarely fully utilized, providing tennis players ample other options for dedicated play.

• There is a severe shortage of outdoor pickleball locations in the greater Seattle area, but no shortage of tennis courts.

• Pickleball is a social, group sport. More players will congregate when more courts are available, thereby utilizing park resources more fully.

• Both tennis and pickleball players prefer to play on dedicated, rather than shared courts.

You don’t have to be resident, all pickleball and tennis players are invited to send an email regarding this regional park.

To stay up to date on the new Luther Burbank pickleball courts and other pickleball news on the island, join Dink on Mercer Island. Monthly updates, public opinion polls and upcoming public input events will be listed on the site.

THANK YOU for advocating for pickleball around the Puget Sound area. Your voice is important, and every email makes a difference.

Dear Friends,

Here's another chance to help secure more PB courts! This time, it's on the conversion of tennis courts at Luther Burbank into 8 dedicated PB courts. Here are the pertinent details:

The Mercer Island Parks & Recreation Commission will discuss the design for the new Luther Burbank pickleball courts in the upcoming meeting on March 2nd at 5pm. If you are not aware, the City received a King County grant to resurface the existing courts, and if this goes as expected, construction will begin this fall.

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