Archived Version of a Previous Newsletter
OLD NEWS
This is an archived version of a previously issued pickleball newsletter. The most current N. Phoenix Newsletter is available by clicking HERE!
Hello Phoenix Area Pickleball Players:
Ambassador’s Note: At the end of this email, I explain a method that I think will be very helpful to those who would like to know when (times/dates) other players will be at certain pickleball locations. It is listed under Outdoor Play During the Heat of the Summer.
Many players have requested an update on the status of indoor pickleball play with the Department of Parks and Recreation. I wanted to touch base with members of this email list about a couple of communications I recently had with the city of Phoenix and the Department of Parks and Recreation.
On May 18th (prior to the lifting of the mask mandate), I wrote to the Deputy Parks and Recreation Director and this was her response:
“Situation on Phoenix Community Centers and Gym use is still very fluid. The City of Phoenix mask mandate is still in effect but the city council will be discussing that status at today’s council meeting.
Right now we are slated to open 11 centers for summer youth camps and select evening and Saturday classes starting June 7th. In this current phase we are not allowing any gym sports. Again situation is super fluid right now and we will follow the direction of the city council decisions closely.”
Once the mask mandate for the City of Phoenix was removed, I then wrote to Mayor Gallego encouraging her office to work with the appropriate city departments and personnel to institute indoor pickleball for the summer. As part of my query, I pointed out that some private gymnasium facilities in the area have had indoor pickleball for months apparently without incident or significant complications. Additionally, other businesses were not requiring masks or were making them optional.
My email was redirected to the Management Assistant II City of Phoenix at the Parks and Recreation Department
Here is the response I received:
Mr. Ross,
Thank you for your comments regarding your desire to see indoor pickleball resume. On May 5, 2021, the City Council approved a plan for the tiered, safe reopening of community centers. As such, youth summer camps and registered classes with reduced capacities will resume on June 7. Once the COVID transmission risk category reaches the Moderate category, the Parks and Recreation Department will open gym activities by reservation. We are closely monitoring the COVID transmission benchmark, which at present is still in the Substantial risk category.
Updates regarding Parks and Recreation Department services can be found at https://www.phoenix.gov/parks.
Best,
TheresaTheresa Faull
Management Assistant II
City of Phoenix
Parks and Recreation Department
200 W. Washington St, 16th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
602-495-5937 (desk)
Email: theresa.faull@phoenix.gov
I am not always the first to know, but if I hear any news about the Community Centers reopening for indoor pickleball, I will be sure to send another email to this group.
The outdoor parks are open for recreational play.
The Family Life Center, 5757 North Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85012 continues to offer indoor pickleball on Tuesdays and Thursdays (fee required) from 9:00 AM through 1:00 PM. ALSO NOTE THAT THESE TIMES MAY BE FLEXIBLE AS WELL. PLEASE CALL BEFORE ATTENDING TO MAKE CERTAIN OF THE SCHEDULE. (602) 707-5903
Outdoor Play During the Heat of the Summer
PlayTime Scheduler
A tool to organize and schedule meetups by criteria
IMPORTANT NOTE:
PlayTime is NOT a Reservation System.
Creating a session on PlayTime does not give you special rights to a court.
Your group must still follow that venue’s court sharing and rotation rules.
Now that the summer heat is upon us, many area pickleballers will be wanting to play during the cooler morning hours (6 AM or earlier – many courts are open at sunrise which can be 5 AM during some months) or during the evening hours where lighting is available.
The problem is that players have difficulty knowing who will be there and whether or not they will be at a skill level** that will make play enjoyable for everyone.
This is where PlayTime Scheduler becomes a useful tool. By using PlayTime Scheduler, groups of people can communicate to form meetups and/or check court locations for specific dates/times to view who may be playing there!
Please understand that this cannot work unless everyone commits to using the website properly. First and foremost, be realistic about your skill level. You probably don’t want to show up at a court if you are a beginner and most other players are in the advanced to expert skill levels**.
Another issue is that once you sign up for a time/date, please make every effort to attend. Everyone understands that issues and emergencies arise and plans can change, but others will be relying upon you to keep your schedule up-to-date and to stay committed whenever possible.
These are the locations for the Maricopa County venues that are currently listed and available for creating a meetup. Many of the the Phoenix/Scottsdale courts are listed. I have also asked that Pioneers of America Telephone Park be added to the list.
• Anthem Community Center
• Anthem Country Club
• Bullhead City, AZ Rotary Park
• Cholla Park
• Dobson Ranch Los Altos Rec Center (Private)
• Festival Fields Park
• Fountain Hills Pickleball Club
• Gilbert Regional Park
• Goodyear Community Park
• Horizon Park
• Paseo Highlands Park
• Pebble Creek Pickleball Courts (Private)
• Rio Verde
• Scottsdale Community College
• Thompson Peak Park
• Trilogy
• Trilogy at Verde River
If you are not already registered at PlayTime Scheduler, the first thing you would want to do is sign up/register. This is an easy process. NOTE – There is a free, but still very useful, membership and a more advanced premium membership.
Here is the link to get started: https://playtimescheduler.com/
For those who want to see a complete copy of the help file for PlayTime Scheduler which may provide more insight and answer some questions, you can download it in either PDF or MS Word format.
NOTE – The HELP FILE will probably make more sense after you sign up. Signing up for the free version to see how it works and then accessing the help file would provide a better idea of how PlayTime Scheduler works.
PlayTime Scheduler Help – MS Word
**Pickleball players, for the most part, are very kind and generous and almost all players will try to help those with lesser skills by offering advice and playing with those who are trying to improve. Just keep in mind that they too want to be challenged and have fun by playing at their appropriate skill level so please be realistic when signing up.
This can be used as a general rule for determining skill level (it is really more complicated than this to be exact). Pickleball skill on the website ranges from 2.0 through 5.0. 2.0 would be a beginner, 3.0 would be low intermediate, 4.0 advanced and 5.0 expert. Use this as a general guide. IMPORTANT – remember to adjust your skill level if you find play too hard or too easy!
If you have played at courts in the past and you know people who will be there and have played with them, then perhaps skill level is of less importance.
I hope you find this helpful!
Previous newsletters that may have pickleball hints, videos, rules changes, etc. are now archived at the following link. You can check out previous newsletters there.
Archived N. Phoenix PB Previous Newsletters
********** Join the USAPA $20 for 1 Year Until June 1st. *********
*THIS PRICE IS NO LONGER VALID!
*
Support your Sport
Membership Price Increases as of June 1, 2021 –
THIS PRICE IS NO LONGER VALID!
Take advantage of the lower fee and support the USA Pickelball Association!
Here is part of the message from USA Pickleball
To continue building and providing programs and services to this fast growing pickleball community, the USA Pickleball membership fee will be $35 for one year, $95 for three years and $150 for five years, effective June 1, 2021. This is the first regular individual membership fee increase by USA Pickleball since its inception in 2005 and will help fund important initiatives that support the mission to promote the development and growth of pickleball. In addition, a portion will be allocated to the member’s USAP region – to further support and grow pickleball programs in your area.
With your support, and thousands of USA Pickleball members like you, we can continue in our mission to develop and grow this great sport in the U.S. Pickleball is fun, inclusive and making a positive impact on society by promoting a social and active lifestyle. We thank you for being a part of the USA Pickleball family and appreciate your membership.
Join the USA Pickleball Association – Click HERE for More Information!
********** That’s All for Now **********
Stay Well and Play Safely!
Regards,Jeff Ross
********** Archived Versions of Previous Newsletters **********
Previous newsletters that may have pickleball hints, videos, rules changes, etc. are now archived at the following link. You can check out previous newsletters there.
Archived N. Phoenix PB Previous Newsletters
Support your Sport
********** Join the USAPA $20 for 1 Year **********
Join the USA Pickleball Association – Click HERE for More Information!
********** That’s All for Now **********
Stay Well and Play Safely!
Regards,Jeff Ross
