The tennis courts that may some day accommodate pickleball as well.
The Parks and Recreation Department is considering converting two of the town tennis courts so they can be used for pickleball as well as tennis, but it won’t happen for at least three years.
At the Parks and Recreation Committee’s March 24 meeting, resident Candace Pearson presented a petition with 60 signatures asking for the conversion of the courts nestled within the split in Ballfield Road. Pickleball has skyrocketed in popularity in recent years, and while Parks & Rec offer indoor classes, there is no outdoor space in town suitable for the sport, so Lincolnites have to travel to a neighboring town to play outdoors in warm weather.
“There aren’t many sports where you can show up to open play in any city, in any state, and immediately feel welcome. There also aren’t many sports that allow for such a wide range of ages and skill levels while still making for fun, competitive games,” said resident Christine Campo, who co-organized the petition.
“We’ve had a lot of conversations about it. I think people on the committee are very open to it,” said PRD Director Jessica Downing. However, this is just one expense among many that the committee is planning for. Its five-year capital plan currently calls for work on those courts in fiscal 2029 after the community center is finished. Theres also the issue of getting approval for work so close to the nearby stream, she added. A A feasibility study would be a first step in the process.
Voters at Town Meeting last month approved $102,700 for rebuilding the other town tennis courts behind the Smith parking lot in fiscal 2026.