Outdoor Pickleball Court Development

Early 2026

Citywide Outdoor Pickleball Planning 2021-2023

This project began in 2021 when SPR assessed numerous potential sites for the inclusion of dedicated pickleball facilities: North Seattle: Magnuson E5 Parking Lot, Bitter Lake Reservoir, Interbay, Woodland Park Lower, Woodland Park “Horseshoe,” Woodland Triangle, Magnuson Tennis courts; South Seattle: Hiawatha Playfield, Genessee Playfield, Georgetown Playfield, Jefferson Park oval, Pratt Park, Judkins Lower Field, and Lincoln Park. These sites were chosen due to the availability of land and to select a preferred location in both north and south Seattle from several options.

Under the guidance of SPR’s Planning & Capital Development staff, a Pickleball Demand Steering Committee was formed from members of the Seattle Metro Pickleball Association (SMPA), the Amy Yee Tennis Center Advisory Council (AYAC), SPR Lifelong Recreation staff, and other individual volunteers. This group published their findings and recommendations for each of the 7 sites as the 2021-2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study. This study identified the preferred candidate, Magnuson Park, for dedicated facilities in north Seattle. This study was presented at a virtual public meeting in May 2022. Results from this meeting and the 2021-2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study were presented to the Seattle Parks and Recreation Board of Parks and Recreation Commissioners (BPRC) on August 11, 2022. At this meeting, SPR staff received recommendations from the BPRC to proceed with exploring concept development at Magnuson Park. Funding to support the design and construction of dedicated pickleball courts at Magnuson Park was identified as part of the Cycle 2 (2023-2028) Park District Financial Plan and is available in Fiscal Year 2024. The 2021-2022 Outdoor Pickleball Study may be downloaded via this link.

2023 Outdoor Pickleball Court Planning

This project began in the fall of 2023 to conduct a detailed analysis of the five courts identified in the 2021-2022 study. An advisory committee was formed, including tennis and pickleball players and advocates. This committee would review the consultant team’s recommendations along with the SPR staff for selecting one site in North Seattle. The project scope called for holding a public meeting to introduce the public to the project and collect their comments and concerns for consideration.

In October 2023, after a more detailed review of the sites, along with input from the advisory committee, SPR determined to continue work on the development of a facility at

Warren G. Magnuson Park. It was also determined that public engagement would be held after conceptual designs were completed for Magnuson Park. Please refer to the Magnuson Park project webpage for more information on pickleball development at Magnuson Park.