There is a follow up to this story. Click HERE to see it.
It is always exciting to anticipate new opportunities related to areas in which we have a vested interest. I would like to report about one such happening in the N. Phoenix area pickleball community.
PLEASE NOTE – This is a preliminary report and items presented here are in the planning stages. Given the uncertainties with municipal budgets, priorities, emergencies, etc. any of the following my be revised, changed, etc. Kindly keep this in mind as you read further.
Last week, I met with Jan Sherwood, Recreation Supervisor, Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, City of Phoenix Landscape Architect, Tom Byrne and several other area Pickleball Ambassadors to preview preliminary plans for new pickleball courts at Paseo Highlands Park.
** About the Park – Paseo Highlands Park (Geolet A.C. Beuf Community Center), 3435 W. Pinnacle Peak Rd., 35th Ave. and Pinnacle Peak Rd. (Located adjacent to Geolet A.C. Beuf Community Center)
Amenities: A 40-acre regional Park with two lighted softball fields, lighted soccer field, lighted basketball court, lighted volleyball court, playgrounds, restrooms and picnic areas, grills, ramadas, and the Geolet A.C. Beuf Community Center.
**Excerpted from the City of Phoenix website.
Some of our pickleball friends have noticed signs in the area which outlined the project.
The plan is to build six outdoor pickleball courts.
The photo below is NOT of any identified pickleball court, but is to show the colors of the courts as the preliminary design and plan currently details.
Here are some of the specifics as I understood them. Please remember, that these plans are still fluid and preliminary.
- There will be fences/barriers separating all of the courts. This should cut down on ball chasing.
- The circles represent trees to be planted as part of the development process.
- There is an existing ramada that will remain; located north of the westmost court (rectangular structure).
- The courts will be lit with timed fixtures that will go on automatically.
- For the four courts to the east, entry gates are located in the middle of the quad.
- The two westerly courts have gates at the northern corners.
Pictured below is the general location for the development.
Bathrooms are located relatively near the courts.
There is a parking lot located a bit east of the courts. It has eleven spaces plus one space for handicapped parking.
It was 100 degrees plus the day we met and I walked from the community center to the area shown on the plans and it was not a far walk.
This is a picture I took while standing near the parking lot looking back at the community center…
and here is a photo taken standing on the steps of the community center looking back at the area (with gravel/granite) where the new courts will be placed.
For those who want to see a wide view of the general area, this is the link to the larger image (panorama)
Click HERE
The question that might be on the minds of most readers is WHEN will these courts be finished or when can we begin playing on them? A “guesstimate”, keeping in mind that there are some “ifs” involved, is that we are looking at some time after the new year, 2018!
Until then, it is something nice to think about!
I would like to thank Jan Sherwood and the City of Phoenix for keeping our pickleball community in mind and for allowing us to learn of the projects as they begin unfold.
I hope to see you on the courts!
Hi just commenting on the new Pickleball courts parking spaces . 6 courts with 24 players could be 24 cars. Not enough parking
I guess I should have made it clear that there are other relatively nearby parking areas/lots as well as parking on the adjacent street. I am not absolutely sure of street parking, but cars have been seen parked there and it APPEARS to be OK. Thank you for your comment and providing a venue for clarification.
I’m so glad to have found this info on the new courts. As a member of the Beuf community center I have been keeping an eye on the area anticipating breaking of ground for the new courts, after seeing the sign months ago. I have been searching for info as the sign Says “construction start – summer of 2017”, “Construction completion fall of 2017” As we are out of summer (except for the heat) and nearing fall, there is still nothing happening there. I’m wondering why put up a sign, with start and end predictions until absolutely certain if and when it’s going to happen.
Some of the time, the wheels of government move slowly with unanticipated stops along the the way. The engineers and city officials at the meeting were very sincere and I think they will begin construction in the near future. At least the plan seems to be moving forward. I will try to get an update. Thanks for your comment.
Can you please give us an updated construction start day. It is now the day before Thanksgiving and there seems to be no forward progress. I too am a member of the Beuf Community Center and asked one of the employees there about the project and she didn’t have any information. It would be wonderful to have the opportunity to play on the courts while the weather is still conductive to doing so.
I have asked for an update and have not heard anything. I visited the site recently, as you likely did, and there does not appear to have been any work done. I will ask again and if I find information, I will post it here. Sorry I couldn’t be more definitive – [ Jeff ]
Hey Robin,
It’s a mea. I had emailed the city to try and feature PB in several places. They have responded favorably but point to time and budget constraints. Yet they are slowly making progress. Keep pushing, you’ll get it done,kinda like the game of PB, lol!
Tomorrow is the grand opening at RM Park in north Phoenix. 3courts next to volleyball courts. Cheers! Arun
Where are the RM park PB courts? Thanks.
The Rose Mofford Sports Complex:
9833 N. 25th Ave
Phoenix, Arizona 85021
602-534-1978
NE corner of complex next to volleyball courts across from raquetball courts. Cheers!
UPDATE – 12/21/17 – Lat week I heard a “rumor” that construction is going to start in the spring. Perhaps around the middle to the end of March, 2018. This isn’t “official,” but that is the thinking as of this date!
There is an update to this story. You can read it at this link:
https://jbrish.com/pickleball-n-phoenix-paseo-highlands-revisited/