“What a Pickle!” is the title of the Maryland Montgomery Parks’ Virtual Speaker Series for September.
A Hot Topic
In their September meeting, the subject will be the current dilemma facing the body when it comes to balancing the demand for tennis and pickleball in local parks.
Montgomery County, MD, has announced that this hot topic will take center stage as the Virtual Speaker Series investigates the fight for court space currently raging between tennis players and pickleballers.
A Panel Of Experts
A panel of experts will convene to discuss the challenges of meeting the rapidly growing demand for pickleball in local park systems, comparing the situation in Montgomery County with other areas of the country.
The full title of the discussion is “What a Pickle! Balancing The Demand For Pickleball And Tennis In Parks.”
The event is free and open to all and will take place on Friday, September 8, from 1 to 2:30 p.m.
Sessions are held online, and registration is available by completing the online form via this link. You will then receive a Zoom link the day before the session.
Montgomery Parks Director Mike Riley said, “Pickleball is a growing sport, and I’m looking forward to this wide-ranging discussion about how parks systems can meet the need for new pickleball facilities.
“Montgomery County and communities across the country are grappling with issues from court access to impacts on neighbors, and we need to share information and learn from each other.”
An Extensive Study
Montgomery Parks concluded an extensive study in 2019 aimed at evaluating strategies and locations for addressing the growing demand for pickleball facilities.
Subsequent to the study, numerous recommendations have been put into action. Presently, Montgomery Parks boasts approximately 100 pickleball courts, with additional expansions in the pipeline.
The agency remains committed to incorporating insights from community members and pickleball and tennis enthusiasts alike, as it continues to explore avenues for enhancing outdoor pickleball offerings.
This effort is undertaken with a conscientious approach to minimizing any potential adverse effects on neighboring residents.
About the Speakers
David Robinson
With a career in the tennis industry spanning 43 years, David’s credentials encompass certifications as a teaching professional in tennis and pickleball. At present, he holds the position of Director of Racquet Sports at the Little Falls Swim and Racquet Club situated in Bethesda, Maryland.
David also serves as the Vice President on the Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Division of the US Professional Tennis Association.
He assumed the role of representative for tennis and pickleball within the Montgomery Parks Sport Court Working Group from 2018 to 2019. This group contributed to the formulation of the agency’s 2019 Pickleball Study.
Use this link to find all the available pickleball courts in the Montgomery Parks area.
Carl Schmits
Carl serves as the Managing Director of Equipment Standards And Facilities Development at the USA Pickleball Association. Carl and his team are responsible for outlining, conceptualizing, and executing specifications, standards, and evaluation procedures in this capacity.
Carl functions as the key intermediary between USA Pickleball and manufacturers, as well as an independent certification laboratory for all testing affairs. Simultaneously, he assumes the supervisory and administrative role for USA Pickleball’s equipment compliance division.
Stacie West
Stacie holds the role of Principal Parks Planner at Denver Parks and Recreation. In this capacity, she contributes to comprehensive citywide strategies and guidelines, upholding the ongoing care of Denver’s parks and parkways system.
Before her relocation to Denver in 2021, Stacie garnered experience in Washington, DC. She was engaged in a public-private collaboration aimed at conceiving, developing, and constructing a series of fresh parks and communal areas within the NoMa Business Improvement District.
Additionally, she fulfilled the role of community planner within the DC Department of Parks and Recreation.
Pickleball in Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Courts do not currently reserve or permit pickleball courts. All courts are operated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Use of pickleball courts for pay-to-play (commercial use) lessons, leagues, or tournaments is strictly forbidden.
About Montgomery Parks
Montgomery Parks manages 419 parks over more than 37,000 acres of parkland. Montgomery Parks is a department of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission (M-NCPPC), a bi-county agency established in 1927 to steward public land.
M-NCPPC has been nationally recognized for its high-quality parks and recreation services and is regarded as a national model by other parks systems.
Accessibility
Montgomery Parks, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, supports individuals with disabilities. Please contact the Program Access Office at 301-495-2581 (Voice), MD Relay 7-1-1, 800-552-7724 , or [email protected] to request a disability modification.
Visit Montgomery Parks Accessibility for more information.
Click here to read more of our articles dealing with the ongoing pickleball vs. tennis battle.
