Pickleball is a racket sport that combines elements of badminton, table tennis, and tennis on a court with players using paddles and a polymer ball similar to a wiffle ball. Pickleball has experienced tremendous growth in the last five years. The ease of play, and its low impact on joints, has made it popular for groups of all ages and skill sets. The 2021 Sports & Fitness Industry Association’s (“SFIA”), Sports, Fitness and Leisure Activities Topline Participation Report estimates there are 4.2 million pickleball players nationwide. Participation increased by 21% from 2019 to 2020, with a five-year average annual growth rate of 11%. These trends make it the fastest growing racket sport in the country.
The City of Miami Beach (the “City”) has experienced significant pickleball participation growth over the past few years. The Parks and Recreation Department (the “Department”) receives numerous requests per month for additional courts and is in regular contact with a Miami Beach pickleball advocacy group which has more than 150 members. Additionally, the Department is working closely with the USA Pickleball Ambassador, Lily Azel, in promoting and expanding the sport of pickleball within the City.
The City, like many others across the country, has met this exponential growth by retrofitting existing tennis and indoor recreational facilities into multi-purpose courts to accommodate pickleball. Currently, there are five convertible outdoor tennis/pickleball courts at four facilities throughout the City at the following locations: Fairway Park (2), Polo Park (1), Normandy Shores Park (1) and Miami Beach Golf Club (1).
During the March 9, 2022 City Commission meeting, Resolution No. 2022-32066 was passed directing Administration to line up to ten additional tennis courts at City parks, to allow for both tennis and pickleball play.
However, to meet the short and long-term needs of pickleball players, staff developed recommendations which were presented during the March 19, 2022 PSNQLC meeting. At the April 6, 2022 City Commission meeting, Resolution No. 2022-32106 (Exhibit B) was passed, which accepted the recommendation of the Committee to: convert the tennis courts at Miami Beach Golf Club to dedicated pickleball courts; convert one tennis court at Polo Park to dedicated pickleball courts; stripe one (1) tennis court at Palm Island Park to create two (2) non-dedicated pickleball courts (that would still allow for tennis); and request funding for the installation of lighting at the Miami Beach Golf Club courts through the FY 2023 capital budget process.
As part of the FY 2023 capital budget process, the Parks and Recreation Department has made a request to construct new pickleball-specific facilities within existing City parks and property. Flamingo Park and Normandy Isle Park are the preferred sites to activate within a reasonable timeline. Both sites currently host active recreation amenities and have underutilized areas favorable for positive activation. If funded and permitted, Flamingo Park will have three (3) lighted permanent courts and Normandy Isle Park will have two (2) lighted permanent courts. The timeline for building out new facilities at these preferred locations is approximately 12 to 16 months. The Department understands that the community would like a larger cluster of courts; however, we have not been successful in finding the space.