NOTICE: City of Asheville Pickleball Complex proposed at Aston Park
The Asheville Tennis Association is supportive of a dedicated pickleball facility. We welcome the news that the City is considering construction of one. We do have a few concerns and questions about the plans for Aston Park that were released by the City, link here
Concerns:
Access to new parking for pickleball courts should be from South French Broad Ave, rather than Hilliard Ave. We have so many kids tennis programs using the clubhouse currently, we need to minimize increased traffic at the clubhouse for safety reasons.
The ATA has built a pollinator garden now in Year 3 in partnership with Aston Park that would be leveled according to these plans for a parking lot access path. We recently presented at a Bee City Asheville conference about our volunteer efforts to do this and what success is it having with its location and educational goals, presentation is here.
The tennis backboard is the only one in the City and used year-round by tennis players, along with heavy use during the Asheville Open Championships. It has been marked as changing into parking. Prioritize building a new one elsewhere in the park if that one must go.
Aston Park lost so many established huge trees after Helene. We ask that priority be given to saving as many of the large oak trees as possible with the plans.
Questions:
To better serve families and individuals in the City, could the City split the proposed 8 to 10 court complex between Roger Farmer Park and Aston Park? Having 4 courts at each location would offer more opportunity geographically, serve a larger demographic and reduce the footprint (conserving more green space at each location).
If the pickleball courts are built at Aston, will additional bathrooms and a clubhouse be constructed? The current Aston clubhouse, restrooms and staff cannot accommodate the needs of potentially 40-60 additional patrons.
Will the pickleball patrons have to pay to use the courts, similar to how Aston Park charges tennis players court fees or membership fees? Many tennis players play at Aston and choose to pay because they can avoid the pickleball noise and distractions. There could be a drop in tennis memberships at Aston and revenue after this change. Also, pickleball fees could help generate revenue to support Aston Park.
The City has designated several ways to collect feedback and we ask that you consider giving your input either in person or in the online survey.
Monday, April 27: Roger Farmer Park, 71 Deaverview Road, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28: Aston Park, 300 Hilliard Ave., from 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 28: Asheville Sports Club, 137 Coxe Ave., from 4:30-7 p.m., featuring free open-play pickleball
Community members may also submit feedback via an online survey, which will be open from April 27 to May 11.