Seattle Parks and Rec is planning to eliminate 36 free outdoor pickleball courts. Sign the petition to help us stop them!
Full details below:
Pickleball isn’t just a game. It is a phenomenon. More than a sport, Pickleball open play builds friendships, partnerships, and community. Everyone of us who plays has experienced the first time walking onto a new court, not knowing where to stack, and having someone welcome you and show you the ropes. Our official State sport, Pickleball unites neighbors, families, people of all ages, and newcomers of all backgrounds—fostering friendships and fitness in our parks and on our courts. Yet Seattle Parks' draft Outdoor Racquet Sports Strategy plans to eliminate 36 outdoor courts citywide, slashing access as early as June 2026.
Removing these courts not only means fewer available courts. It will mean longer travel times, increased crowds on the remaining courts, longer wait times (and less play time), and higher barriers to play—especially for older adults, people without cars, and those who rely on nearby, free recreational spaces. This change is not only inconvenient; it is prohibitive and will destroy pickleball communities for new and existing players who depend on accessible, local courts to stay healthy and connected.
Seattle Parks has invited public feedback on its strategy and stated a goal of balancing the needs of tennis and pickleball players. We feel strongly that balance should not come at the cost of closing 36 courts to pickleball.
We ask Seattle Parks to:
- Preserve existing pickleball access on these 36 dual‑use courts until the new pickleball courts are built.
- Study alternatives that expand access for both tennis and pickleball players, rather than reducing court availability.
- Ensure that new plans support the equity, inclusion, and community‑building that is part of the game of pickleball in Seattle’s parks.
Sign this petition to let city officials know that Seattle’s pickleball communities—of all ages and all backgrounds—are paying attention. By signing, you help keep our communities united and thriving. Keep Seattle parks welcoming and accessible for everyone, like the game of pickleball itself.