East Boulder Community Park - Racket Courts

In 2022, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Board and City Council unanimously supported the Parks and Recreation Department Plan. This plan was developed with significant community input and analysis of the current system. Through that broad-based planning, the growth of racket sports amidst a decline in supply of courts in the community pointed the city to further evaluate this topic through a Court System Plan.

The Court System Plan, completed in 2024, identified the need for new outdoor tennis and pickleball courts to meet community needs. The plan also identified only 5 urban park locations where courts could be developed. East Boulder Community Park was 1 of the 5 future sites appropriate for tennis and pickleball courts based on criteria such as acres of park land, topography, noise and geographical distribution.

Along with a priority to provide access and service to tennis and pickleball courts as part of the commitment to community health and wellness outlined as a key theme in the 2022 Parks and Recreation Department Plan, this project required additional site analysis to provide critical information about the natural resources of the property. The 22-acre city-owned property adjacent to East Boulder Community Park offers an opportunity to balance multiple needs such as creating improved habitat with recreation activities that support the health and wellness of the community. A local professional developed an ecological report with a focus on floodplain, wetlands, wildlife, vegetation, and threatened and endangered species.

The 2024 Court System Plan was developed to understand better the community needs, programming improvements and feasible locations for courts.

The Court System Plan explained the community's need for racket sport courts and supported the approval of funding for courts at East Boulder Community Park. With the system-wide evaluation and recommendations of the Court System Plan and funding identified in the 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program.

There is money in the 2025 CIP budget for this project and we anticipate fundraising with the PLAY Boulder Foundation, BPR’s non-profit philanthropic partner.

Engagement Window #1: Share a Foundation of Information and Inquiry

September 2024 – January 2025

The intent of the first engagement window is to inform the community about the project’s goals and timelines and the work to annex and develop 19 acres of the acquired property. Communication will be sent out via the project web page and the e-newsletter. Community members can sign up for the e-newsletter, which will communicate when the web page is updated and engagement opportunities are planned throughout the project. If you have signed up for Court System Plan updates, you will automatically receive East Boulder Community Park – Courts updates. Please share this page with community members who want to be added to the email list.

Engagement Window #2: Identify Options and Evaluate Issues

January – April 2025

The second engagement window will provide the community with the background information and summaries of the studies on the city-owned property adjacent to East Boulder Community Park. This included existing conditions, opportunities and constraints, and the site program. This engagement window included a community meeting to provide an opportunity to share information and answer questions.

Engagement Window #3: Communicate Decision and Rationale

August – November 2025

The third engagement window will present the final concept plan with information on community engagement, policy direction, and research outcomes. This will include a public meeting in October to share the concept plan draft, provide an opportunity for discussion about how decisions were made, and identify any missed opportunities.

Post Occupancy Review: Reflect and Evaluate

Early 2027

This is an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on the project after community members have used the courts. This will begin with an opening celebration and provide an opportunity for feedback on the physical improvements, volunteer opportunities, fund raising, and programming.

Annexation Proposal

Annexation means incorporating property into City limits. It is the process of transferring parcels of land from unincorporated areas of a county into the service area and jurisdiction of a city. Properties brought into the City receive services such as water, sewer and emergency services.

The annexation process does not include approval of development. The annexation process focuses on whether it is appropriate for the parcels to be included in the City limits, but does not approve any specific development of the property.

An annexation and initial zoning application has been submitted to follow through with City Council direction to use the property for partially for parks and recreation purposes, partially for future flood mitigation and partially for open space use. Annexation brings the property into Boulder City Limits and allows connection to city infrastructure.

There will be upcoming opportunities to provide feedback at public meetings. Those dates will be set upon approval of the annexation application. Please sign up for project notifications at the bottom of this page to be notified as dates become available.

Racket Courts Project Process

The timelines are estimates. We will work hard to move through all of the appropriate steps and include the community thoughtfully.

• Site Analysis (September 2024 – January 2025)
  • This phase includes completing required studies on property annexation, feasibility and site programming. The department will contract services from experts to perform studies such as, but not limited to, wetlands mapping, land survey, wildlife and vegetation inventories.
• Concept Plan Development (Mar. – November 2025)
  • This phase includes visual project concepts, sharing information, answering questions, and evaluating alternatives with the community. This phase also includes developing high-level cost estimates to inform final budgeting and an anticipated capital campaign with the PLAY Boulder Foundation.
• Construction Documentation and Permitting (December 2025 – August 2026).
  • This phase moves the project from a concept plan to construction documentation, including all the details that will ensure this project provides a high-quality experience for our community.
• Construction (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027)
  • Ground breaking for the project through to completion of construction. This phase can be weather-dependent.
• Ribbon Cutting and Celebration (Spring 2027)
  • Opening of the courts for dedicated pickleball and tennis

The PLAY Boulder Foundation is proud to support the development of cutting-edge tennis and pickleball courts at East Boulder Community Park and a state-of-the-art public pickleball facility at Tom Watson Park.

Through your financial support these community courts will become vibrant, accessible gathering spaces where families, friends, and neighbors come together to play, connect, and grow. Contributions can enhance these projects with amenities like a shade structure, benches, picnic tables, or drinking fountains to support comfort and usability.

• Learn more and support enhancing these projects