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The court designs for a James Park pickleball complex, likely coming to Evanston this summer, were shown to the Parks and Recreation Board at its Thursday, Jan. 16 meeting. To address resident concerns about noise, the city will attach sound barriers to a fence surrounding all 15 courts.
As shown in the design, the complex will also feature paved walkways, six gates for accessing the play area and portable toilets.
These 15 courts will replace the existing tennis courts at James Park, a decision made by the board in October 2024. In December, Parks and Recreation staff met with members of a pickleball programming committee to help create the designs, according to a memo shared with the board on the finalized design layout.
“What a wonderful job the city staff has done in the design,” said Third Ward resident Michael Kloster during the public comment period. “They really knocked it out of the park. They met with us several times, really took our feedback. It turned out to be exactly what we were hoping for.”
The pickleball courts have been a long time in the making, with discussions on court creation, price and placement starting two years ago.
Kloster also urged the city to get these courts ready for play as soon as possible.
“Although the difference between, let’s say, the courts being ready on July 5 versus Sept. 31 is only three months on paper, in reality, to the pickleballers, it’s like 12 months, because you’ve missed the whole season, and now we’re another year without courts,” he said.
The courts have to “weather” after the asphalt is laid, allowing for oil to rise and dissipate before they can be painted, Parks and Recreation Deputy Director Michael Callahan explained. This process can take a few months.
Parks and Recreation Director Audrey Thompson said the city doesn’t want to make any promises, but it “looks like we will have pickleball this summer.”
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