Seattle Parks Releases Draft Racquet Sports Plan
What it means for Magnolia + how to share your feedback
Seattle Parks & Recreation (SPR) has released a draft Outdoor Racquet Sports Strategy (April 2026) in response to the growing popularity of tennis and pickleball across the city.
The plan proposes several changes to how courts are used and managed, with the goal of reducing conflicts and improving access over time.
This is a draft proposal, and SPR is actively seeking community input before finalizing the plan.
What’s Proposed (Citywide)
Ending shared-use courts
The plan recommends phasing out “dual use” courts (where tennis and pickleball share the same space). Courts would instead be designated for a single sport to reduce scheduling conflicts and confusion.
Clear court designations
All courts would be identified as either:
Tennis-only
Pickleball-only
Creation of “hub” locations
Certain parks would be designated as racquet sport hubs, where activity is concentrated and future investments—like lighting or upgrades—are prioritized.
Pickleball open play model
Some pickleball locations would shift to open play, where players rotate in rather than reserve courts. Other nearby sites would continue to allow reservations.
Limited near-term expansion
While demand is growing, adding new courts is costly and space is limited. The strategy focuses on improving use of existing courts while exploring longer-term expansion opportunities.
What This Could Mean for Magnolia
The draft plan includes several changes affecting Magnolia parks:
West Magnolia Playfield
Proposed as a tennis-only site
Discovery Park
Proposed as a pickleball-only location
Identified as a pickleball hub
Expected to support open play (drop-in use) rather than reservations initially
Overall neighborhood impact
Magnolia would function as a split-use area, with tennis and pickleball centered at different parks
Residents who currently use shared courts may need to adjust where and how they play
Why This Plan Is Being Considered
According to SPR, the strategy is based on several years of data and community feedback, including:
Increased demand for both tennis and pickleball
Challenges managing shared courts
Conflicts related to reservations, group use, and court access
The proposed changes aim to create a more predictable and structured system for users across the city.
How to Share Your Feedback
SPR is currently gathering community input before finalizing the plan. If you use these courts—or live near them—your input can help shape the outcome.
✔️ Take the online survey
Share your feedback directly with Seattle Parks:
✔️ Attend a community meeting
SPR will be hosting engagement opportunities to hear from residents:
👉 Upcoming meeting dates and registration details:
✔️ Stay informed
You can follow updates and review materials here:
👉 Visit the SPR Project overview page via the link below:
MCC’s Role
The Magnolia Community Council (MCC) is sharing information about this proposal to help keep the community informed and engaged.
At this stage, MCC is not taking a formal position on the strategy. We encourage residents to:
Learn more about the proposal
Consider how it may impact your household or neighborhood
Share feedback directly with Seattle Parks
What’s Next
After the public feedback period:
SPR will refine the strategy
A final version will be released
Implementation would begin with signage changes, followed by updates during regular maintenance cycles
If you have thoughts you’d like MCC to be aware of, feel free to reach out or attend an upcoming meeting—we always value hearing from the community.
