Outdoor Pickleball Complex: Feasibility in Focus

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PROJECT BACKGROUND

Pickleball continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in America, with participation increasing 223.5% over the past three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

The City's ReCreate: Parks & Recreation Master Plan(External link), adopted in 2021, assessed community usage data and determined that an additional 13 pickleball courts should be built by the year 2040 to provide equitable access, and meet desired levels of service across the City.

Through awarded City Give(External link) funds, donated by the Fort Collins Pickleball Club, an outdoor pickleball complex study is now underway to determine if an existing community park site could accommodate an outdoor pickleball complex. Building an outdoor complex could help close the gap in the short term, while waiting for future community parks to be built.

For this project, an outdoor pickleball complex is a specialized recreational facility equipped with 12 designated pickleball courts. Typically featuring a hard surface like asphalt or concrete, these courts are marked with pickleball lines and equipped with nets for gameplay. The complex often includes amenities such as seating areas, shade structures, and lighting for evening play.

The current parks system includes the following inventory of (External link)pickleball courts(External link):

  • (8) dedicated outdoor pickleball courts
  • (44) striped for pickleball on outdoor multi-use courts
    • (25) on tennis
    • (19) on other
  • Up to (12) indoor pickleball courts

FEEDBACK SUMMARY & PROJECT UPDATE (OCTOBER 2024)

Summary: Based on the Open House and additional community feedback, there is a large amount of support for the pickleball complex at Fossil Creek Community Park. Noise impacts remain one of the highest concerns. Park Planning and Development next steps will include contracting with an independent, third-party acoustical engineer to evaluate noise impacts in greater detail to ensure the design complies with City of Fort Collins code.

Proposed Conceptual Design Feedback: A total of 150 people attended the open house held on September 18th, 2024, and 254 individuals participated in the online survey, which remained open until September 30th. Most attendees learned about the open house event through word of mouth, while other sources included yard signs and the OurCity webpage. Between the open house and the online survey, a total of 349 community members supported the 12-court pickleball complex at Fossil Creek Community Park, with only 19 opposed. Key feedback included requests for additional courts at Fossil Creek Community Park or elsewhere in the City of Fort Collins, preferences for facility design (such as sound mitigation and shade structures), concerns about noise impact (to nearby residences as well as wildlife), and a desire for more information on future programming (such as open play) and timely development.

Location/Method of Feedback
Comments Received
Open HouseTotal Attendees: 150
Comment Card Feedback:
  • Support for the complex at Fossil Creek: 107 in favor
  • Do not support/Undecided: 10
Online SurveySupport for the complex at Fossil Creek: 242
Do not support/Undecided: 12
Themes and topics of interest:court expansion, design features, noise concerns, inclusive access
Additional feedback received:

After the Open House, PPD received 7 emails related to concerns about the location of the pickleball courts. One email was related to concern about locating the courts at Spring Canyon. Other emails related to Fossil Creek Community Park expressed concerns about noise, disturbing wildlife and impacts to views of the park.

Feedback received in person at Park & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB):

On September 25, 2024, about 7 community members attended the PRAB board meeting to express concerns about the location of pickleball courts at Fossil Creek Community Park. Their concerns related to noise, and disturbing wildlife and natural character of park.


Next Steps: City staff will be pursuing an independent noise impact study and submitting for a conceptual review of design plans.

  • Noise Impact Study: Noise impact study will confirm noise levels at property line, and examine court location, proximity to water, topography and fence heights.
  • Conceptual Review: Identify any early design, zoning, or infrastructure challenges and ensure alignment with city regulations.

FOSSIL CREEK COMMUNITY PARK CONCEPT PLAN SUMMARY (SHARED AT OPEN HOUSE - SEPTEMBER 2024)

Following the community-wide survey and initial site feasibility analysis, a more detailed assessment and civil review were conducted at the two community parks under consideration for the pickleball complex - Spring Canyon Community Park and Fossil Creek Community Park.

The detailed site analysis assessed various factors including overall park acreage, total parking spaces, the percentage of the park in the floodplain, potential development locations, space availability, infrastructure compatibility, site context, noise setbacks, and parking requirements. The analysis identified Fossil Creek Community Park as the preferred location for a 12-court pickleball complex, due to more usable space and a planned area for expansion, as well as an overall better fit contextually and programmatically than Spring Canyon Community Park.

Civil reviews of both Spring Canyon Community Park and Fossil Creek Community Park confirm that while both parks are suitable, Fossil Creek is favored for its grading, and existing stormwater management, including an existing bioswale.

A full PDF version of the concept plan boards presented at the Open House on September 18 at Fossil Creek Community Park is also available for download in the Documents section. Note: If you need assistance viewing or reading the documents linked on this page, please call 970-221-6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado) for assistance, or contact the City's ADA Coordinator at 970-416-4254.


COMMUNITY QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK SUMMARY (COMPLETED JUNE 2024)


  • The online questionnaire, which was open for four weeks and closed on June 7, received 1,448 responses.

  • 83% of respondents currently play pickleball; 17% do not currently play pickleball.


  • A significant 89% of participants believe a pickleball complex would benefit the community, with support for a potential pickleball complex at either Spring Canyon Community Park or Fossil Creek Community Park.

  • The survey revealed that the main concerns regarding the complex were noise impacts, programming of courts, the desire for more than 12 courts, and maintenance concerns of existing and future courts.

  • Overall, the survey results show there is a demand for more dedicated pickleball courts in Fort Collins, highlighting the sport's growth, and community benefits.


PROJECT BACKGROUND

Pickleball continues to be one of the fastest-growing sports in America, with participation increasing 223.5% over the past three years, according to the Sports & Fitness Industry Association.

The City's ReCreate: Parks & Recreation Master Plan(External link), adopted in 2021, assessed community usage data and determined that an additional 13 pickleball courts should be built by the year 2040 to provide equitable access, and meet desired levels of service across the City.

Through awarded City Give(External link) funds, donated by the Fort Collins Pickleball Club, an outdoor pickleball complex study is now underway to determine if an existing community park site could accommodate an outdoor pickleball complex. Building an outdoor complex could help close the gap in the short term, while waiting for future community parks to be built.

For this project, an outdoor pickleball complex is a specialized recreational facility equipped with 12 designated pickleball courts. Typically featuring a hard surface like asphalt or concrete, these courts are marked with pickleball lines and equipped with nets for gameplay. The complex often includes amenities such as seating areas, shade structures, and lighting for evening play.

The current parks system includes the following inventory of (External link)pickleball courts(External link):

  • (8) dedicated outdoor pickleball courts
  • (44) striped for pickleball on outdoor multi-use courts
    • (25) on tennis
    • (19) on other
  • Up to (12) indoor pickleball courts

FEEDBACK SUMMARY & PROJECT UPDATE (OCTOBER 2024)

Summary: Based on the Open House and additional community feedback, there is a large amount of support for the pickleball complex at Fossil Creek Community Park. Noise impacts remain one of the highest concerns. Park Planning and Development next steps will include contracting with an independent, third-party acoustical engineer to evaluate noise impacts in greater detail to ensure the design complies with City of Fort Collins code.

Proposed Conceptual Design Feedback: A total of 150 people attended the open house held on September 18th, 2024, and 254 individuals participated in the online survey, which remained open until September 30th. Most attendees learned about the open house event through word of mouth, while other sources included yard signs and the OurCity webpage. Between the open house and the online survey, a total of 349 community members supported the 12-court pickleball complex at Fossil Creek Community Park, with only 19 opposed. Key feedback included requests for additional courts at Fossil Creek Community Park or elsewhere in the City of Fort Collins, preferences for facility design (such as sound mitigation and shade structures), concerns about noise impact (to nearby residences as well as wildlife), and a desire for more information on future programming (such as open play) and timely development.

Location/Method of Feedback
Comments Received
Open HouseTotal Attendees: 150
Comment Card Feedback:
  • Support for the complex at Fossil Creek: 107 in favor
  • Do not support/Undecided: 10
Online SurveySupport for the complex at Fossil Creek: 242
Do not support/Undecided: 12
Themes and topics of interest:court expansion, design features, noise concerns, inclusive access
Additional feedback received:

After the Open House, PPD received 7 emails related to concerns about the location of the pickleball courts. One email was related to concern about locating the courts at Spring Canyon. Other emails related to Fossil Creek Community Park expressed concerns about noise, disturbing wildlife and impacts to views of the park.

Feedback received in person at Park & Recreation Advisory Board (PRAB):

On September 25, 2024, about 7 community members attended the PRAB board meeting to express concerns about the location of pickleball courts at Fossil Creek Community Park. Their concerns related to noise, and disturbing wildlife and natural character of park.


Next Steps: City staff will be pursuing an independent noise impact study and submitting for a conceptual review of design plans.

  • Noise Impact Study: Noise impact study will confirm noise levels at property line, and examine court location, proximity to water, topography and fence heights.
  • Conceptual Review: Identify any early design, zoning, or infrastructure challenges and ensure alignment with city regulations.

FOSSIL CREEK COMMUNITY PARK CONCEPT PLAN SUMMARY (SHARED AT OPEN HOUSE - SEPTEMBER 2024)

Following the community-wide survey and initial site feasibility analysis, a more detailed assessment and civil review were conducted at the two community parks under consideration for the pickleball complex - Spring Canyon Community Park and Fossil Creek Community Park.

The detailed site analysis assessed various factors including overall park acreage, total parking spaces, the percentage of the park in the floodplain, potential development locations, space availability, infrastructure compatibility, site context, noise setbacks, and parking requirements. The analysis identified Fossil Creek Community Park as the preferred location for a 12-court pickleball complex, due to more usable space and a planned area for expansion, as well as an overall better fit contextually and programmatically than Spring Canyon Community Park.

Civil reviews of both Spring Canyon Community Park and Fossil Creek Community Park confirm that while both parks are suitable, Fossil Creek is favored for its grading, and existing stormwater management, including an existing bioswale.

A full PDF version of the concept plan boards presented at the Open House on September 18 at Fossil Creek Community Park is also available for download in the Documents section. Note: If you need assistance viewing or reading the documents linked on this page, please call 970-221-6515 (V/TDD: Dial 711 for Relay Colorado) for assistance, or contact the City's ADA Coordinator at 970-416-4254.


COMMUNITY QUESTIONNAIRE FEEDBACK SUMMARY (COMPLETED JUNE 2024)


  • The online questionnaire, which was open for four weeks and closed on June 7, received 1,448 responses.

  • 83% of respondents currently play pickleball; 17% do not currently play pickleball.


  • A significant 89% of participants believe a pickleball complex would benefit the community, with support for a potential pickleball complex at either Spring Canyon Community Park or Fossil Creek Community Park.

  • The survey revealed that the main concerns regarding the complex were noise impacts, programming of courts, the desire for more than 12 courts, and maintenance concerns of existing and future courts.

  • Overall, the survey results show there is a demand for more dedicated pickleball courts in Fort Collins, highlighting the sport's growth, and community benefits.


  • Assessment Criteria

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    11 Oct 2024

    As part of the research for the pickleball feasibility assessment, staff from the City's Park Planning & Development Division(External link) completed a thorough review of community parks to determine if an outdoor complex could realistically be installed in any location.

    Using criteria that took into account existing infrastructure, space, noise, and safety constraints, as well as location and connectivity factors, each community park was put into a weighted matrix for consideration.

    This preliminary research identified two potential locations suitable for a 12-court outdoor pickleball complex – Spring Canyon Community Park and Fossil Creek Community Park.

    Criteria Weight Park Location


    		Fossil Creek Spring Canyon Edora City Park Rolland Moore Lee Martinez Twin Silo
    Adequate space for complex & amenities 2 X X




    Neighborhood setback for noise reduction 2 X X
    		X


    Adequate parking capacity 2 X
    		X
    		X

    Existing restroom facilities nearby 2 X X


    		X
    Out of floodway 2 X X X X

    		X
    Adequate space for detention 1 X X




    Court orientation 1 X X
    		X


    Central or service gap location 1 X X X



    Separation from tennis courts 1 X

    		X

    		X
    Minimal impact to infrastructure 1 X X X
    		X X X
    Public transportation 1

    		X X X

    Trail connectivity 1 X X X
    		X X
    Totals
    		16 13 8 7 5 4 4

  • Overview of ReCreate: Parks & Recreation Master Plan

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    (External link)Rooted in the ReCreate: Parks & Recreation Master Plan's(External link) commitment to increasing the community's access to pickleball courts, City staff have met with active pickleball players over the last few years to explore options to address growing trends.

    While the budget funds existing pickleball programs and court maintenance, the City did not have funding for staff to assess site feasibility for a future pickleball complex. The Fort Collins Pickleball Club agreed to fund the site assessment through City Give(External link). The donation from the Fort Collins Pickleball Club will only inform the City’s future decision-making, and does not guarantee an outcome. The funds will underwrite community engagement and the feasibility exploration of a potential 12-court outdoor complex in a community park.

    Feasibility and community engagement will be shaped and defined by City standards, including the ReCreate: Parks & Recreation Master Plan.

  • About City Give

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    In 2019, the City established City Give(External link) to provide a transparent, reliable pathway for residents to support services, missions, and programs that may fall outside the budget, but are well-positioned for private funding.

    Many layers of best-practice philanthropic guidelines ensure such charitable giving is not a political vehicle or beyond the reach and transparency of public oversight. Most importantly, charitable gifts must reflect the priorities and needs of the City of Fort Collins and align with City Plans and the City’s strategic objectives.

    City Give partnership examples include such projects as The Hand That Feeds(External link), Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado(External link), and the Community Center for Creativity at the historic Carnegie Library.

Page last updated: 11 Oct 2024, 11:06 AM