The current 5 tennis courts at Doylestown Central Park are among the most consistently used athletic facilities in the Township. However, when ground is broken on the new Parks and Rec Center this Summer, the Township plans to reduce the number of tennis courts to just 3, and add 6 pickleball courts and 2 full court basketball courts. Together we can not only save the tennis courts in our township but continue to grow a sport our community loves!

The Central Park courts have historically been filled with tennis lovers. In addition to constant use by residents, classes offered through the Township by The Bucks County Tennis Association often sell out, filling these courts with 120 hours of tennis instruction for community members age 5-80. In 2022 these practices enrolled over 300 students, most of whom were Township residents! There is a historical and demonstrated need, as well as desire for these courts. Having only three public courts in the Township will severely limit healthy opportunities for kids and adults of all ages.In fact, reducing the number of courts to 3 potentially eliminates the opportunity for 1,000 residents to enjoy tennis during the warm months, and Parks and Rec tennis instruction by 150 residents per year!

A 25-year study published in 2021 in the Mayo Clinic Proceedings found tennis to be the healthiest, life-adding sport in the world. It is a versatile sport, accessible to all ages and ability levels. Furthermore, while pickleball may be growing at a faster percentage rate, the raw numbers speak volumes about tennis’ popularity in the U.S. Generous estimates put the number of regular pickleball players around 8 million, while 22.6 million Americans play tennis regularly, and that number continues to grow.

We believe that it is important to prioritize the preservation of assets that have already been shown to be well-used and valued by our residents. A plan that that allows the park to continue with at least four dedicated tennis courts is a must, but this is still a net loss for the community. Keeping all 5 tennis courts is the correct choice! Please join us today by signing this online petition to preserve the number of tennis courts at Doylestown Central Park!