Woodland embraces pickleball craze with dedicated courts in Crawford Park Reconstruction Project

Gerardo Zavala

April 5

Woodland is working on delivering improved recreational facilities for its residents through the William Crawford Senior Park Court Reconstruction Project.

The project was approved during the City Council's Feb. 6 meeting and involved the demolition and Reconstruction of old tennis court surfacing into six new pickleball courts.

"The tennis courts at Crawford Park were constructed in the late 1970s and have since developed cracks that cannot be repaired," a city press release explained. "City staff worked with Callander Associates and the Woodland Area Pickleball Association to design the new pickleball courts, which will be the first exclusive pickleball courts in Woodland."

William Crawford Senior Park Court Reconstruction Project site construction plan. (Courtesy)

During the Feb. 6 meeting, the council approved a $442,412 construction contract with Western Engineering Contractor's Inc. for the restoration project.

The release noted that these courts will include posts for permanent pickleball nets, four-foot fencing to divide each of the courts and gates to close the existing gaps between courts and new fencing.

The city anticipated the new courts to open to the public by mid-August.

"We are excited to begin Reconstruction of the Crawford Park courts to create Woodland's only exclusive pickleball facilities," Woodland Mayor Tania Garcia-Cadena said. "This project advances the city's efforts to invest in recreational spaces and improve Woodland residents' quality of life. We wanted to do our part to acknowledge the growing number of pickleball players in the community and ensure that the sport is more accessible for all."

Furthermore, the Sports and Fitness Association argued that pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the United States for the past five years with 8.9 million players reported in 2022.

"The city has accommodated the growing popularity of pickleball by hosting indoor pickleball at the Community and Senior Center and adding pickleball lines to existing tennis courts in several city parks."

However, the release highlighted the challenges posed by the lack of dedicated pickleball courts in the city as people cannot play without bringing their own net.

"The Crawford Reconstruction Project addresses this current lack of accessibility and provides a public facility for Woodland residents to enjoy outdoor pickleball," the release stated. "Pickleball courts and tennis courts will continue to be available to the public during the reconstruction process."

Pickleball lines are available on the tennis courts at Beamer Park and Rick Gonzales Senior Park, and regular tennis courts are available at City Park, Woodside Park, Beamer Park and Rick Gonzales Senior Park.

The Woodland Area Pickleball Association offers lessons and clinics for pickleball players. If interested in learning more about these, visit woodlandpickleball.com for information regarding membership, class schedules and open play times.