Debate grows over planned pickleball courts at Magnuson Park
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Seattle's love affair with pickleball has hit a snag as a city plan to build new courts faces pushback from environmental groups and neighbors worried about noise and potential harm to wildlife.
Why it matters: The debate over courts at Magnuson Park is part of a broader challenge cities face as parks and other public agencies work to balance recreation and conservation priorities.
What's happening: Seattle Parks and Recreation is proposing to build the courts at the Children's Hospital park-and-pool lot north of NE 65th St. — near restored wetlands — by the end of next year.
- The initial plan covers the planning, design and construction of eight to 10 lighted courts, according to the parks department.
- Plans call for expanding to 25 courts if additional funding becomes available.
Friction point: Some local residents and environmental groups, notably Birds Connect Seattle, argue that the proposed pickleball courts threaten a key urban habitat.
- The 30-acre restored wetlands, one of Seattle's largest freshwater habitats, support more than 100 native species.
- The bird advocacy group warns pickleball's distinctive pop sound, which can reach up to 120 decibels courtside, threatens the park's tranquility and wildlife.
What they're saying: "Pickleball is famously noisy and we are hoping the city finds a more suitable location that protects taxpayer investment and habitat," Joshua Morris, urban conservation manager for Birds Connect Seattle, told Axios.
The other side: Pickleball is booming in Seattle, and after years of studies, Magnuson Park was deemed the best spot for dedicated courts to meet demand, parks spokesperson Karen O'Connor told Axios via email.
Fun fact: Pickleball, which was invented on Bainbridge Island in 1965, is Washington's official state sport.
Flashback: An earlier Seattle Parks and Recreation proposal to convert disused tennis courts in Lincoln Park into six pickleball courts was halted due to community opposition.
- Just like at Magnuson, residents and conservationists argued that the noise from pickleball would disrupt the park's natural habitat, which supports over 160 bird species.
- Facing protests and a petition with nearly 10,000 signatures, the city abandoned the plan, opting to seek alternative locations.
- The department said last year it's considering other sites in West Seattle, including the parking lot of the Nino Cantu Southwest Athletic Complex and the Georgetown Playfield.
Yes, but: While the city debates where and how to build new outdoor courts, private investment in pickleball is surging, with a 100,000-square-foot club planned at the former Pepsi bottling plant in South Seattle.
- With 26 courts, it would be the largest pickleball club in the state, per the Puget Sound Business Journal.
What's next: Birds Connect Seattle is leading a walk through the wetlands on Saturday.