Dear Raleigh Parks and Recreation,

We, the Raleigh tennis-playing public, are writing to express our strong support for building additional tennis courts at the Millbrook Exchange Tennis Center. Tennis is a beloved sport in our community, and we believe that additional courts will provide more opportunities for both children and adults to stay active and healthy.

Many of us have struggled to find available tennis courts, making access to the sport difficult for those without private facility memberships. Adding new tennis courts will also create more opportunities for residents to participate in group and private lessons, league teams, and tournaments, thus promoting social engagement and community building.

Since 2004, the number of non-Millbrook public courts in Raleigh has been reduced from 112 to 101. These 11 tennis courts were lost due to:

* 7 converted to pickleball

* 2 converted to futsal

* 2 due to community center expansion

The need for additional courts at Millbrook Exchange has been a long-standing desire and is now a necessity. These courts will increase the number of services offered to the community, including social tournaments, adult and junior league teams, competitive tournaments, and equipment services. Given that 70% of all tennis is played at public facilities—either free or for a minimal cost—its wide appeal aligns perfectly with the National Recreation and Park Association's Health and Wellness and Social Equity Pillars. The increase in revenue generated would also help cover the maintenance and upkeep of the facility.

There are an estimated 25.7 million tennis players in the U.S. as of 2024, a figure that represents five consecutive years of growth for the sport. This number reflects a surge in participation driven by various demographic groups, including increased engagement from people of color and a growing base of younger players. Key details about U.S. tennis participation include:

• High Participation Rate: The 25.7 million figure means that roughly one in every 12 Americans played tennis in 2024, the highest proportion on record.
• Demographic Trends: Participation is growing across diverse groups, with significant increases among Black/African American and Hispanic/Latino players. Younger players, especially those under 35, are powering the expansion of the sport.
• Core Players: The number of "core" players, who play the sport at least 10 times in a 12-month period, reached a record high of 13 million in 2024, indicating strong engagement.

Raleigh Tennis Association is pleased to report continued positive momentum in 2025; year-to-date, overall player registrations are up 3%, marking 2025 as another year of steady league growth. Raleigh holds the #1 spot for USTA registrations in North Carolina, #3 in the Southern region, and #6 in the United States. With our continued growth, we urge you not to overlook this opportunity to enhance the Millbrook Exchange facilities by adding new tennis courts.

Thank you for considering our community's needs.