Westminster City Council
SUBJECT
Title
Consideration of Pickleball Courts at Tony Lam Park, 8301 McFadden Avenue.
End
From: Parks and Recreation Commission Chairman Jason Gray
Requested by: Administration
Prepared by: Tammy Huynh, Management Analyst
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RECOMMENDED ACTION
Recommendation
Review and consider the Parks and Recreation Commission’s recommendation to direct staff to design, bid, and convert the two southernmost tennis courts at Tony Lam Park into eight pickleball courts.
BACKGROUND
The Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan identifies pickleball as a high-priority recreational need and recommends the development of up to two pickleball sites citywide. The City currently has three pickleball courts at Sigler Park, which opened to the public in October 2023. Proposals to add pickleball courts at Westminster Village Park and Bowling Green Park were previously evaluated as part of the City’s broader effort to address the growing demand for pickleball facilities. However, these locations did not move forward due to significant community opposition identified through outreach efforts, including direct resident feedback and public comments. Based on the level and consistency of these concerns, the project at these locations for further design or implementation was halted and instead staff continued evaluating alternative locations that could better balance recreational demand with neighborhood compatibility.
Since the opening of the Sigler Park courts, staff has received additional inquiries and requests for more pickleball opportunities. In recent months, staff has also received community correspondence both supporting and opposing the conversion of existing tennis courts to pickleball at Tony Lam Park, specifically. In response, and to ensure broader community input was considered, staff conducted outreach meetings to gather feedback from the community.
Community outreach efforts were conducted prior to the meetings and included mailing flyers to Westminster addresses within a 500-foot radius of Tony Lam Park, outreach to the adjacent elementary school, on-site signage and banners, multiple social media posts, information published on the City’s website, and inclusion in City email updates. Two community outreach meetings were held on November 19, 2025, including one in-person at Tony Lam Park and one virtual meeting via Zoom.
As part of the outreach process, staff presented a conceptual option that would convert the two southernmost existing tennis courts, located closest to McFadden Avenue, into eight pickleball courts. The concept was presented to help frame discussion and gather community input.
Community feedback reflected a range of perspectives. Topics raised during outreach included potential noise impacts, parking availability, restroom capacity, and general park operations and enforcement. Participants also offered general suggestions related to mitigating potential impacts, including hours of play, court placement within the park, and operational considerations.
In addition to in-person feedback, surveys were distributed at the outreach meeting and made available online to gather broader community input. A total of 62 survey responses were received. Overall, a majority of respondents indicated support for adding pickleball courts at Tony Lam Park. Survey responses included input from both Westminster residents and non-residents, with support reflected across both groups. A summary of survey results is included in the attached Parks and Recreation Commission staff report (Attachment 1).
At the January 13, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting, the Commission reviewed the proposed conversion, along with the community outreach results, and discussed considerations related to the potential addition of pickleball courts at Tony Lam Park. Topics discussed included the general condition of the parking lot, noise considerations, the conceptual placement of courts within the park, and hours of operation. Following discussion, the Commission approved a motion recommending that the item be forwarded to the City Council to consider approving the proposed conversion of the two southernmost tennis courts into eight pickleball courts at Tony Lam Park.
Next Steps
Should the City Council provide direction to move forward with the conversion of two tennis courts to eight pickleball courts at Tony Lam Park, staff will initiate the following actions:
• Finalize project scope, including court layout, fencing configuration, and resurfacing specifications.
• Solicit bids to confirm construction pricing.
• Incorporate appropriate operational considerations discussed during outreach, such as hours of play, signage, and court use guidelines.
• Coordinate with Public Works on site preparation and project scheduling.
Upon approval, staff anticipates construction could begin within approximately 4-6 weeks, with an estimated construction duration of 6-8 weeks, subject to contractor availability and weather conditions.
Staff will also continue to monitor community feedback and evaluate operational impacts following project completion.
FISCAL IMPACT
Based on preliminary quotes received to date, the estimated total project cost range is approximately $88,213 to $90,088. To fund this project, a new capital project, 76502-762603 Tony Lam Park Pickleball Courts, would be created and a budget adjustment in the amount of $90,000 from Park Dedication would be required.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney’s Office has reviewed as to form.
CONCLUSION
Based on outreach feedback, survey results, and discussion of operational considerations, the proposed conversion would expand recreational opportunities consistent with the Parks and Recreation Facilities Master Plan.
Following review of the conceptual plan and discussion of the community outreach results, the Parks and Recreation Commission recommended that the City Council consider approving the proposed conversion of the two southernmost existing tennis courts at Tony Lam Park into eight pickleball courts.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Parks and Recreation Commission Staff Report dated January 13, 2026, with Conceptual Pickleball Court Layout Presented at Community Outreach Meetings.
REVIEWED BY
Erin Backs, Finance Director
City Attorney’s Office
Christine Cordon, City Manager