The Boise City Council and the city’s Parks and Recreation Department are evaluating a proposed five-year expansion plan to construct 32 new pickleball courts across several local parks. The initiative, discussed during a recent city council work session, aims to address the rapidly growing community demand for the sport while balancing municipal budget constraints and neighborhood noise concerns.
Currently, Boise manages 89 racket sports courts across 30 municipal parks, which includes 53 tennis courts, 22 shared-use courts, and only 14 dedicated pickleball courts. According to Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle, the proposed expansion would target locations such as Owyhee Park, the Optimist Youth Sports Complex, Molenaar Park, and Alta Harris Park.
The financial tradeoffs of the expansion remain a primary point of discussion for city leaders. Council member Luci Willits questioned the fiscal logic of constructing new facilities versus converting existing infrastructure. Arkle clarified that converting a single underutilized tennis court into a pickleball court costs approximately $150,000, whereas building a new dedicated 12-court pickleball complex can exceed $1.2 million. The city intends to fund the project using impact fees rather than general tax funds.
Beyond budget allocations, municipal officials are addressing the logistical impact on surrounding residential areas. Council President Meredith Stead noted that while she has received numerous requests from residents advocating for expanded pickleball access, any final plan must carefully consider court placement due to ongoing noise complaints from residents living near active parks.
The five-year proposal is scheduled to be presented to the Boise Parks and Recreation Board, where it will undergo a formal public comment period before receiving final municipal approval.