Attn:  Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) - Ala Moana Regional Park -  (AMRP)

Honorable Major Rick Blangiardi (808) 768-4141 www8.honolulu.gov/mayor/contact-the-mayor 

Executive Director, Department of Parks and Recreation, Laura Thielen (808) 768-3001 laura.thielen@honolulu.gov

West Honolulu District Manager, Department of Parks and Recreation, Brandon Kono (808) 768-9282 bkono@hononlulu.gov

We represent pickleball players who reside in the City and County of Honolulu, Hawai'i along with pickleball players visiting Hawai'i. We have been using the underutilized hitting wall area for pickleball at Ala Moana Regional Park since 2018. What started from a group of 12 pickleball players has grown to a daily average of 60-100 players using this area for pickleball.  We have always shared this area with tennis players allowing room for everyone to utilize this space. Recently, there have been 1-2 tennis players complaining about pickleball being played at the hitting wall area, causing AMRP to not allow us to play there. We are now asking DPR AMRP to officially allow tennis and pickleball players to share the hitting wall area.

DPR’s Mission Statement:

We accomplish our vision by: creating park programs and environments that are safe, active, welcoming, and engaging; investing in staff growth and development; gathering data and feedback to assess, improve, and develop plans that are responsive and supportive of community needs; engaging in ongoing professional growth to stay relevant and evolve to meet community needs; aligning to division-wide standards, outcomes, and guidelines to promote program quality and continuous improvement; collaborating internally across our department with a focus on high quality impact; and by building relationships with external organizations through the sharing of knowledge, skills, and resources.

This petition strongly supports DPR's mission by:

• meeting the community needs of the urban core;
• providing equitable use of public resources;
• using an underutilized public area;
• addressing the need for pickleball courts with lights — many players work during the day and can only play at night; and
• aligning with other DPR tennis facilities that have pickleball lines on Tennis Courts/Facilities.  No park rule or policy exists stating Tennis courts are only for Tennis.  (e.g. Diamond Head Tennis Center, Aiea District Park, Ewa Mahiko District Park, Mililani Neighborhood Park, Pacific Palisades Community Park, Wai'anae District Park, Kailua District Park and Waialua District Park).

We have been sharing the hitting wall with tennis players and playing pickleball in the same area since 2018 and with little conflict.

We request the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks & Recreation consider the following response for AMRP:

1. Line three pickleball courts in the hitting wall area to make it a hybrid tennis hitting wall/pickleball court with permanent lines of different color for both sports. 
2. Remove the sign on Hitting Wall entrance that currently states "THIS COURT IS FOR TENNIS ONLY". 
3. Expand and build additional pickleball courts with lights at Ala Moana District Park and other urban core centers within Honolulu.

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the United States. According to the USA Pickleball Association (USAP), there are over 36.5 MILLION players, and that number is quickly growing. Due to the soaring popularity of this decades-old game, many parks and recreation departments are now adding pickleball to their sports programming. The numerous benefits of this activity includes:

• Improved balance, hand-eye coordination and flexibility. It helps your mind stay sharp, supports cognitive function and builds footwork skills.  Moving your whole body during the game allows your joints to stay flexible.
• Improves Heart Health.  Pickleball is a great form of cardiovascular exercise that helps get your heart rate up.  It can lead to better cholesterol and blood pressure levels, lowering your risk for heart disease.
• Prevents Osteoporosis.  Since pickleball is a low-impact sport and easy on the body, it's a great way to get movement in and maintain healthy bones, joints and muscles. Playing pickleball, can reduce the rate of bone loss and help conserve bone tissue.
• It boosts mood and mental health.  Playing pickleball with others helps stimulate your brain while releasing endorphins.  This can reduce anxiety, depression and stress, allowing you to elevate your mind and mental health.
• Social Connections.  Pickleball can help you meet new friends and stay socially engaged by having fun, laughing and making connections.  Regular participation reduces isolation and improves your emotional health and well-being.
• Keeping our Parks safe and clean.  When people gather in parks and have activity, it puts more “eyes on the streets,” exposing criminals to constant community surveillance.  e.g.  Mother Waldron Park