Recommend the Decommission of Titterud Park’s Tennis Court

One of the city's first improved parks was Titterud Park, named after the family that platted the adjoining land and dedicated the space there for the park that is still in use today.  In the late 1970's several improvements occurred in the park, including the installation of a two-court tennis court (with lights being added later).

The courts have been color-coated several times over the decades, and in 2007 Staff routed the significant vertical cracks in the court and patched with bituminous in an attempt to extend the courts useful life. While this did extend the time the courts could be used for play a short while, thereafter the color-coating began to spall off in increasingly larger pieces.  In the spring of 2012 Staff inspected the courts and deemed they were no longer safe for play and did not install the nets.

Attached are photos of the last attempt to extend the useful life of the tennis courts 5 + years ago.

Shortly after the courts were deemed unsafe for play, Staff posted a notice at the entrance to courts asking potential patrons to contact Staff if they had questions or concerns with the court's closure.  Two inquiries were made in 2012 by residents regarding the courts, and in both cases the individuals were asked to consider playing elsewhere, and informed that the courts were likely to be recommended for removal - with a concurrent evaluation as to the feasibility of relocating the lighting system to Central Park, (estimated to be in excess of $8,000).

In that only two parties made inquiries on the status of the courts in the spring of 2012, (and none known of since that time), coupled with the fact that there have been no known complaints registered about the proposal to eliminate the tennis courts - Staff is recommending their removal.

Replacement of the courts (as they would need complete removal to provide for soil corrections) would be a minimum of $50,000 (estimated).  The City also has 4 courts at Rivers' Bend Park, 4 at Central Park, and a single court each at Riverdale and Fox Parks.

The removal of the courts and recycling of the materials can be performed in-house with Public Works Staff as time permits.  The lighting relocation from Titterud to Central Park is being investigated.

No supplemental funding is required at this time, as the equipment and trucking time to remove the courts would be absorbed by the Parks operating budget.  Funding for the relocation of the lights from Titterud to Central Park will be addressed separately, if found to be feasible.

Staff recommends that the tennis courts at Titterud Park be removed and disposed of as may be appropriate.

Motion to recommend to City Council that the tennis courts at Titterud Park be removed and disposed of as may be appropriate.