REPORT TO PARKS & RECREATION COMMISSION
SUBJECT
Title
Review Community Outreach Results and Preliminary Park Site Evaluations for Tennis and Pickleball Improvements and Provide Feedback
Report
BACKGROUND
On May 5, 2026, the City Council adopted the Santa Clara Parks & Recreation Master Plan (Plan), which establishes a long-term framework for prioritizing parks, recreational facilities, programs, and infrastructure improvements. The Plan identifies growing demand for recreational amenities, including tennis and pickleball facilities, and establishes level-of-service targets to guide future investments.
The Plan examines national recreational trends and benchmarks Santa Clara against similarly sized cities across the country. As of 2023, basketball, golf, and tennis were among the most popular sports in the United States based on participation levels. Between 2017 and 2023, participation in tennis, golf, and pickleball increased by more than 25%, while activities such as jogging, ultimate frisbee, roller hockey, and rugby experienced declines.
The Plan identifies a level-of-service need for 18 pickleball courts, equivalent to approximately one court per 8,500 residents, and 38 tennis courts, equivalent to one court per 4,000 residents. The City currently has 35 tennis courts, including two courts at Central Park near the Community Recreation Center that were dual-striped in 2023 to accommodate pickleball. This effort introduced pickleball opportunities in Santa Clara and supported City programming, court reservations, and walk-on play through the City’s contractor, Lifetime Activities.
In June 2026, the Parks & Recreation Department (Department) initiated a comprehensive community outreach effort to gather input on existing tennis and pickleball facilities and future recreational needs. Outreach activities included an online survey, a project webpage, social media, GovDelivery notifications, Commission announcements, community events, and public meetings. The project webpage was developed to serve as the central source for survey access, project information, and meeting updates.
The survey was available from June through July 31, 2026, and received 1,420 responses, including 1,101 completed online surveys and 319 paper surveys. To broaden awareness and encourage participation, the Department promoted the survey through multiple communications channels, including the City website, Parks & Recreation webpages, and social media channels. Announcements were made at the Parks & Recreation Commission, Cultural Arts Commission, and Senior Advisory Commission meetings, as well as email notification to the Youth Commission. Survey information was also shared through Senior Center programming and monthly barbecue events during June, July, and August. Flyers with QR codes linking to the survey were posted at 11 tennis court locations and various park bulletin boards throughout the City.
Staff also conducted in-person outreach at City events, including the 4th of July Celebration, Night Markets, and Concerts in the Park events in June and July. Reminder communications were issued through GovDelivery, social media, City Hall News, and the Sports, Parks and Fields webpage.
Following the survey period, the Department held an in-person community meeting at the Senior Center on August 20, 2026, with 62 participants. In addition, a virtual community meeting via Zoom was held on August 27, 2026, with 53 participants. Both meetings provided opportunities for the public to share feedback on potential pickleball improvements at Central Park, Jenny Strand Park, and Montague Park.
DISCUSSION
The purpose of this item is to provide the Parks & Recreation Commission with an overview of the City’s recent tennis and pickleball outreach process, survey findings, and preliminary site analysis (Attachment 1). Staff is seeking the Commission’s feedback on community priorities, the relative needs of tennis and pickleball users, and potential locations for additional dedicated pickleball facilities.
Community outreach demonstrates strong interest in both maintaining tennis facilities and expanding access to pickleball. Participants provided input regarding existing court conditions, access to courts, preferred locations, potential court configurations, and the importance of providing facilities that serve a range of ages, abilities, and recreation interests.
Consistent with the Plan and the City’s commitment to maintaining a balanced recreation system, staff’s objective is to identify opportunities for dedicated pickleball courts while preserving existing tennis assets, where feasible. Dedicated courts would help address increasing pickleball participation, reduce scheduling conflicts associated with shared or dual-striped courts, and provide additional opportunities for pickleball programming, reservations, informal play, tournaments, and special events. At the same time, preserving and improving the City’s tennis facilities also remains a priority to meeting current and future community demands.
Staff evaluated potential improvements at Central Park, Jenny Strand Park, and Montague Park based on factors including available space, existing site conditions, proximity to residential uses, access and parking, potential noise considerations, compatibility with existing park amenities, and available funding sources. The analysis is intended to identify feasible options for further evaluation and does not represent a final site recommendation at this time.
Following Commission discussion and feedback, staff will refine the site analysis and return to the Commission with a recommended site or sites for further planning and development. Future work may include conceptual design, cost estimates, environmental review as applicable, community engagement on a preferred concept, and identification of funding sources. This phased approach will allow the City to advance improvements that are responsive to community input, consistent with the Plan, and supportive of Santa Clara’s broader parks and recreation system.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
This is an information report only and no action is being taken by the Commission or City Council and no environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”) is required at this time.
FISCAL IMPACT
In November 2024, Santa Clara voters approved Measure I, a $400 million general obligation bond measure, of which approximately $115 million has been allocated to parks, libraries, the Senior Center, and aquatic facilities. Of this amount, $1.6M has been allocated for pickleball courts.
As potential sites and project scopes are further developed, staff will prepare cost estimates for Commission and City Council review and consideration. There is no additional fiscal impact associated with the recommended action at this time.
COORDINATION
This report was coordinated with the Department of Public Works.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Public contact was made by posting the Council agenda on the City’s official-notice bulletin board outside City Hall Council Chambers. A complete agenda packet is available on the City’s website and in the City Clerk’s Office at least 72 hours prior to a Regular Meeting and 24 hours prior to a Special Meeting. A hard copy of any agenda report may be requested by contacting the City Clerk’s Office at (408) 615-2220, email clerk@santaclaraca.gov or at the public information desk at any City of Santa Clara public library.
RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
Review community outreach results and preliminary park site evaluations for tennis and pickleball improvements and provide feedback on which park sites should be further explored.
Staff
Reviewed by: Kimberly Castro, Recreation Manager
Approved by: Damon Sparacino, Director of Parks & Recreation
ATTACHMENTS
1. Parks Site Analysis_Pickleball.2026
2. Tennis & Pickleball Presentation.11-09-26