Keep Thomas Williams tennis courts

Please leave the courts they are a special part of the community!!

Save our tennis courts Special part of community Thanks

KEEP THE TENNIS COURTS!!

I have been a cheltenham resident for over 34 years. Tennis at Thomas Williams Park has been a big part of my feelings for the neighborhood Reducing it down to 2 courts will ruin this special tennis facility Please leave alone I can not attend the meeting Thanks Ron

I do not want any of the four TW tennis courts converted for pickleball use.

What about converting 2 courts at Wall Patk and leaving TW alone?

I have nothing against pickleball but if you live near pickleball courts (they have some in Ocean City NJ), you will hear the pickleball racquet and ball--it is loud and distinct sound that carries--nothing like the sound of tennis balls. Other communities have complained about pickleball courts being located near houses (And some even instituted lawsuits). An online pickleball community even acknowledges the issue: https://www.pickleballportal.com/blog/pickleball-noise-quiet-paddles/ I'm all for encouraging activity and community but the location for this particular conversion may not be ideal. I won't be lawn-signing about it--just expressing a preference that TW not be used for them because of noise and because the courts are already used to capacity for tennis on warmer weekends.

I have nothing against pickleball but if you live near pickleball courts (they have some in Ocean City NJ), you will hear the pickleball racquet and ball--it is loud and distinct sound that carries--nothing like the sound of tennis balls. Other communities have complained about pickleball courts being located near houses (And some even instituted lawsuits). An online pickleball community even acknowledges the issue: https://www.pickleballportal.com/blog/pickleball-noise-quiet-paddles/ I'm all for encouraging activity and community but the location for this particular conversion may not be ideal. I won't be lawn-signing about it--just expressing a preference that TW not be used for them because of noise and because the courts are already used to capacity for tennis on warmer weekends.

Please keep them open

Please keep open!

Unclear what was meant by the "mess it up" comment. You mean litter? I see no greater risks from pickleball as from tennis on this or any other grounds, so the reference is unclear. As for the claim that one's position is somehow sacrosanct because you're a taxpayer, this works on all sides of the commentary. Has there been any effort on the part of tennis players to raise money to pay back the township for courts? I know that there has been such effort by pickleball players, and this trend is likely to increase over time. I think that the wisest course is to meet demand from whatever population it emanates. Absent from most of the commentary in this thread are suggestions for options that all residents can afford and go some way towards meeting demand for recreational outlets. I suppose the good news is that demand in either case is in the direction of promoting fitness and family fun, so really it's a win-win from a resident standpoint.

Unclear what you mean. Mess up as in litter? Mess up as in something else that's at risk? I see no greater risk from pickleball as from tennis, so you must be referring to something else.

There a community with hundreds of people surrounding these tennis courts. DON’T MESS IT UP!

Please bring permanent Pickelball courts to Cheltenham!!! There are plenty of tennis courts but no PB courts!

Save TW tennis courts! You don’t need pickleball courts at both locations

Please do not replace any tennis courts with pickleball. I welcome all sports and the addition of pickleball courts would be great, but not at the expense of tennis.

I don't agree to allow the picker ball to used the courts!!!

PLEASE Keep ALL TW tennis courts!!! They are used and enjoyed regularly by residents of all ages! They’re the best courts in the township!

The four tennis locations in the township are as follows: Wall Park (mixed pickleball and tennis) with 3 courts and lights; Thomas Williams (tennis only) with 4 courts and no lights; Ogontz (tennis only) with 3 courts; and Tookany (tennis only) with 2 courts. There are large numbers of courts (tennis only) under the supervision of the school district that likely are available for use during non-school hours. The pickleball activities operate as an extension of Parks and Rec which limits their activities to township courts. In as much as there are many courts available for use on school district properties - many in new condition - there are ample alternative venues for tennis. However, there are non for pickleball. Ogontz is in need of major upgrades and repairs which the township can't afford. Tookany has the highest utilization among the four. Wall Park will likely be unable to meet pickleball demand with the courts available at that location. That leaves TW. Any suggestions that adequately address both use cases within a short amount of time?

Cheltenham Pickleball is doing the very same at Wall Park. The problem is that interest has intensified to the point that Wall Park may not satisfy demand, and there are no locations within the township that permit players to play pickleball without enrolling in a program. There are only 4 court locations within the township, and one - Ogontz - is in need of major repairs and upgrades that the township can't afford. The others are Tookany and TW. Any ideas or suggestions?