Across the United States, municipal parks and recreation departments have seen the increased popularity of pickleball and many have sought to provide additional space to accommodate a growing number of players.
In 2021, an advisory committee that oversees Darden Towe Park unanimously voted to convert two of the park’s four tennis courts for pickleball. A total of six courts were created.
“This decision was supported by the Central Virginia Pickleball Club, which raised $20,000 through community donations to fund the project,” reads a survey page on Albemarle County’s engagement website.
The committee is now considering whether to keep the two remaining tennis courts or convert them to add more space for pickleball.
Albemarle County and Charlottesville jointly own Darden Towe Park and the advisory committee consists of two Supervisors and two City Councilors. The Supervisors are Bea LaPisto-Kirtley of the Rivanna District and Ned Gallaway of the Rio District. The councilors are Vice Mayor Brian Pinkston and Councilor Natalie Oschrin.
The group only meets once a year, according to Albemarle’s Director of Communications and Public Engagement.
“During the last meeting in October 2024, the discussion on the conversion of the two existing tennis courts in Darden Towe Park was an agenda item,” said Abbey Stumpf in an email. “The committee decided to reconvene for further discussion and a potential vote after results of a court user survey was conducted.”
The survey asks what sports the respondent plays giving only tennis and pickleball as options. People are then asked to write down “thoughts about transitioning the existing tennis courts at Darden Towe to pickleball courts.”
Just before noon on Wednesday, there were 312 responses, none of which are public. Just before 7 a.m. on Friday, there are 583 responses.
The Albemarle survey site does not state when the committee will make their decision and the county’s meeting calendar does not list any upcoming meetings for the committee.
The survey website also states that the Albemarle Parks Foundation is involved. This group was created in 2023 “to enhance the well-being and vitality of our community by supporting the development, maintenance, and accessibility of parks and recreational spaces.”
That appears to include advocating for specific projects such as the addition of more pickleball courts at Darden Towe. Their website does not specifically removing the tennis courts but advocates for six more courts.
“The current courts see heavy use seven days a week, and there is a pressing need for additional courts,” reads the foundation’s website. “Twelve courts will help to alleviate court use congestion and also provide sufficient courts for the hosting of tournaments and other events that will draw people to the area.”
There is no date listed for when the Darden Towe Advisory Committee will make a decision.
Before you go: This article was originally sent out as part of the Charlottesville Community Engagement newsletter in the January 15, 2025 edition. Both are functions of Town Crier Productions. You can support the work by purchasing a paid subscription or contributing monthly through Patreon. You can also send in a check or send an email, but drop me a line first.
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