Pickleball enthusiasts are concerned—and with good reason—after the City of Seattle proposed a new plan that could eliminate dozens of courts.

The city's “Racquet Sports Strategy” would remove pickleball lines from public tennis courts to essentially separate the two sports. Shared courts were originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic to accommodate the rise in pickleball’s popularity.

The proposal would cut the number of pickleball courts from 92 to 56, eliminating 32 shared courts across seven Seattle neighborhoods. Meanwhile, tennis would retain a total of 107 courts citywide.

In response, pickleball players and supporters are urging officials to rethink the plan.

In May 2023, Seattle led the nation in pickleball courts per 100,000 residents, but it has since been overtaken by Louisville, KY, Madison, WI, and Honolulu, HI.

Last year, three Seattle pickleball courts were required to adjust their operating hours after multiple noise complaints were filed.

The courts at Gilman Playground, Laurelhurst Playfield, and Mt. Baker Park are now open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekends and city-observed holidays.

The Seattle Metro Pickleball Association launched an online petition drive asking Parks and Recreation officials to pause the pickleball court removals and study alternatives that expand access for both tennis and pickleball players, rather than reducing court availability.

The next step for the proposal is an official briefing at Thursday's Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners meeting, which includes a public-comment period.