Des Moines to demolish seven tennis courts

• The cuts will decrease free access to public tennis and pickleball courts as the sports' popularity spikes.

Driving the news: Removal of two courts at Ashby Park in Beaverdale was completed last week in preparation for spring grass seeding, Ally MacLean, a city spokesperson, tells Axios.

• One court at Union Park was removed this week and four courts at Good Park are also slated for demolition later this month.

State of play: The courts' conditions had worsened to the point where they couldn't be easily repaired and were no longer safe, John Hagener, a recreation superintendent for DSM, recently told the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association.

• Full reconstruction was not an option with current funding, he said.

Stunning stat: DSM's park improvements budget — which includes tennis court upgrades — will decrease by about 70% under a budget proposal the City Council will consider before the end of April.

• The current budget is nearly $3.4 million and would drop to $1 million starting in July.

Behind the scenes: Local governments are increasingly feeling pressure from Iowa's recent property tax limits.

• The upcoming budget proposal includes 16 staff reductions and reflects the city's effort to cut spending to stay ahead of uncertain revenues and increasing operating costs, the Register reports.

Reality check: DSM recently expanded its tennis court system with a $1.6 million makeover at Birdland Sports Park, adding two courts.

• After the upcoming closures, 34 courts will remain.

What we're watching: Whether lawmakers' ongoing efforts to overhaul Iowa's property tax system will lead to additional service cuts.