I do not live in the Peru area, but I am an avid pickleball player. I stumbled across this blog. I lot of valid points have been made. I would like to offer my thoughts.
1) The game of pickleball is loud. The commission members should have been made aware of that before they made the decision to allow the court to be installed where it is.
2) Pickleball is a fast growing sport, particularly among people over the age of 50. Many are former tennis players whose joints and stamina do not allow them to enjoy the game of tennis any longer. Pickleball is the perfect game for those people.
3) Cities all over the Midwest are using tennis courts for pickleball. Some are adding extra lines to the tennis court (with one pickleball court on each side of the current tennis net) and then using portable nets. Some are completing resurfacing and re-lining the courts to permanently make them pickleball courts.
4) They do make pickleball paddle "mufflers" that greatly reduce the sound. These fit over the paddles. Many communities are requiring players to use these during play after certain hours.
5) Cities should evaluate the use of each of its tennis facilities prior to choosing which one should be converted. Converting a tennis court is much more economical than building a new slab for pickleball.
6) I have not doubt that the game of pickleball will have an adequate number of players. The Villages in Florida has 108 pickleball courts and adds more each year. Of course, the population there is about 88,000 people and the majority of them are over 55 years of age. But many people move there for the golf or tennis, but end up loving pickleball.
7) If you google "CBS Morning Show Pickleball" you will find a 3 minute video on the history and the growing popularity of the game. It really is addictive. It's just too bad these courts were placed so close to residences.
10:32 PM, June 18, 2012
42 comments:
At what point in this long litany of mistakes did somebody not realize that they knew nothing about pickleball, that they were making decisions based not on what they knew but on what someone was telling them. Again I am repeating that the Recreation Commission in Peru needs oversight on decisions they make, someone to monitor their decisions with an "open mind". When you have a city council that does not choose to interfere in the decisions of this unelected commission, problems will continue to recur.
This is the first year that the rec com has been looked at with some seriousness, primarily it began with the fireworks and the expenditures and now we are onto a bad uninformed decision made about pickleball, something they knew nothing about and were influenced only by Jim Grabowski who is not on the commission but his wife is.
This is likely to have long lasting repercussions for the neighbors and neighborhood and the city of Peru.
Thank you for your information. The citizens of Peru had no problem with pickleball but did have a major problem with the way it was introduced and handled. The park they used is a neighborhood park yet no consideration was given to the residents. The proximity of the converted court is within 20 feet of some residents homes. We have an appointed committee that is apparently in total control of our parks and can make these decisions without approval or input from anyone (including our council). It's just too bad that they got their way and their permanent courts yet they keep rubbing it in to surroundings residents who did nothing more than request some consideration. One individual was capable of altering a much used tennis court that could have easily been saved because there were many other alternatives made available to him.
According to the 2010 Parks and Recs Survey, only 3% of the Peru population uses the tennis courts. Check your Feb 2010 blog post: http://perutownforum.blogspot.com/2010/02/results-of-recreation-survey-and.html
I think converting the court to pickleball is a great idea. It's certainly better then leaving the unused tennis courts to rot. The pickleball ambassador is offering solutions to the parks' problems. How can we be angry with him?
8:57 For your personal information the 28th street park tennis court was used on a daily basis. It was far from rotting. If anything it was being worn out from constant use. A survey does not give accurate information for each individual location.
8:57 Do you live next to or around 28th St. Park?
Today I witness one of our 55 gallon garbage can containers fall off the flat bed trailer that it was one. City vehicle was obviously going too fast and hit a bump. Luckily no one was directly behind them because it was a dangerous situation. Why are our garbage cans hauled around town on a trailer with no sides to keep them safely intact? On top of that I don't even know what garbage cans could have been emptied in the neighborhood because none of the obvious ones were.
2cool....And 99% of the citizens wanted a tax increase. We see that statistics are used in many different ways. I guess the question to ask is what percentage wanted pickleball courts.
8:57 dumb comment
Most of the Peru population doesn't play basketball, or baseball, or ice skate, or play on the playground equipment either. Take them all out too?
2Cool: I back you up on your comments. I live in the area around 28th St. park and have for years charted the activity of the park. Needless to say, it is DECLINING at a steady rate. I am utterly pleased to see the Ambassador increase the usage of this park by introducing Pickleball.
Thank you Ambassador Grabowski!
3:29 No one wants/likes a tax increase...but I bet when your streets are paved you won't be complaining. If you don't like it, move. It's that simple.
8:57 Even dumber comment. You only mow your lawn once a week 8 months out of the year, why not get rid of that?
Dear Anonymouses,
It would help if you used a more creative handle that way it would be easier to address each comment. I'll try my best.
9:44 - Even if the 28th st park is being used on a daily basis, I'm sure all courts are not filled at all times. I see a beautiful future where tennis players and pickleball players fill the 28th st. courts creating a fertile crescent of social activity in Peru. Imagine a place where athletes and citizens can gather, interact, and build relationships! That would be great for the city!
12:22 - I do not, and based on the negative attitude of the residents near there, I'm glad I don't.
3:29 - I don't know what percentage of the population wanted a pickleball court. I don't think anyone knows. I think we should give pickleball a chance and check back in a few years to see if the court is being used. I try not to be negative right off the bat.
4:03 - Don't be silly. Of course a MAJORITY of residents won't ever use the parks. Some aren't interested in spending time outdoors. Some people have jobs or other commitments that don't allow them to spend time in parks or post on blogs all day like us. But...if (for example) the ice skating rink wasn't used to it's capacity and you had an innovative idea such as converting a portion of it into a curling court, I'd be all for it. (actually - that is a pretty good idea. Your welcome!)
2cool: Why couldn't they leave tennis intact and just add the lines for pickleball? Dual use isn't good enough even though it would have been cheaper?
5:37 PM
If usage at the park is declining why do you want to add an annoying activity to the nearby residents. Why not just sell the land to some people wanting to build new homes and make some money for the city.
Billy D: If you do indeed live in the area of the 28th street park you obviously don't live close enough. That park (and especially the tennis court) was used on a daily basis. Now that pickleball has infiltrated the tennis court it sits idle until the ambassador has his clinics. i.e. It sat unused from 11:00 Monday morning until 6:00 Tuesday evening. Obviously you haven't been very observant lately.
I'M NOT FROM PERU...LOL
Yea, right.
Lois: Who said I wanted to add it? All I said was I am pleased the ambassador brought some usage to the park when usage was declining.
God forbid someone introduce something new to the community.
As for "annoying" .... newsflash- you live by a park. People visit parks. Some people play sports in parks. And when that happens-gasp-people MIGHT make noise.
Next time I watch tennis being played at a park I will have to note how silent it is.
Who polices those darn rowdy children playing and laughing and making those annoying noises on the playgrounds?!?! Mayhem I tell you.
Billy D, if you don't get it by now and understand what is going on and how it is affecting neighbors then I am sorry nothing I could say would sink into your brain and enable you to "get it". Your last post is nothing more than you trying to antagonize a few people and I'm not playing your game.
It might be better for you if you didn't read the blog. I understand this city and how it is run very well and how it is who you know gets things done. I suggest you go play pickleball with your spare time.
Antagonize people? Isn't that one of the byproducts of your blog? Lois I'm sorry but I think you've invented the game and crafted the rules. I voiced my opinion, much like everyone else on this blog. Sorry if you disagree with it.
As for your comment regarding the "big picture"- I do get it. But tell me how its been any different from the previous 50 years? Can you?
I've played enough pickleball today. This topic reminds me of Footloose when the town banned dancing!
On a serious note, thank you for giving the citizens a sounding board. I do enjoy reading both blogs and think you do a fine job moderating this one.
Billy D - I don't think it's the actual sport that is making the residents angry. It's the sneaky way that the transition happened. it's evident that the residents in that area witnessed tennis being played on the courts daily. There are other courts in town that were not used that frequently that could have hosted the new sport. I would have to bet that it's the total disreqard for the wishes of the majority of the taxpayers that wanted to keep tennis on those courts vs the wants of one individual with a friend in high places.
Oh. and p.s. Lois. Don't you just have to sit back and laugh when people blog about other people sitting on this blog all day? How would they know we weren't on here all day too? Hmmm... Isn't there a term for that? Creepers?
Keep up the good work Lois. I am starting to see a few good outcomes as a result of the persistance shown on this blog. The big bad wolf is definately watching.
9:24Pm
Billy D, oh yes the people have made small gains and that is better than none. Where were they able to voice their concerns before?
When did citizens go to committee meetings where decisions are made in the 40 previous years? Last night there were 2 committee meetings and there were private citizens at each of them, listening and speaking to the members. Not that they are always happy that someone is listening but by law they are obliged to make the meetings open. You know that OMA that is enforced by the IL ATTY GEN.
Ask the city clerk how many people are getting information from him through FOIA? (Freedom of information act)
How do you think the group that investigated the township started, it was through a foia of their records and finally they got the N.T. to get involved. But that one will be harder because of its makeup and organization within the state.
Welcome and get involved.
I stated that there was a rumor that an engineer had been asked to check out the 28th St Park about building a permanent pickleball court. Now I know it was not a rumor but the truth that the Mayor asked his SPW to contact Trovero to come up with a cost to the city to build a court. It makes me wonder how many people contacted the city telling them to please leave the tennis court alone BUT the Rec Com had already given their money and their permission for the takeover to happen.
After seeing this situation play out, I thought about what some people are trying to do and that is to elect several at large aldermen within the city. Since the first ward aldermen did nothing and the remaining aldermen in the city took a hands off approach, I now feel that the city would benefit from having at large aldermen who would not be bound to any ward and could be approached by anyone within any ward about a problem or situation. I hope it does work out starting with 2 at large and give it a try.
Billy D.,
Shame on you for speaking up when it seems obvious you are not being well informed on the situation. Do you realize the way this was handled?
One person went to a meeting and asked the city if they would spend the money on a permanent pickle ball court. Ergo, spending the money on an experimental sport while in turn removing a highly used tennis court. I too can see that court from a block away and know that tennis players used that court! My son in particular! What you cant get through your obviously thick headed skull is that the majority of these people are NOT AGAINST PICKLE BALL OR ANY COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT TYPE EVENTS, WE JUST DID NOT WANT TO SEE THE TENNIS COURT REMOVED PERMANENTLY! Im sure you watched the video that JG made, correct? he assured that pickle ball can be played anywhere. Why not at sunset or Washington where there are multiple tennis courts and converting one will NOT wipe out tennis in the area?
If anything, Billy D., you are the closed minded one supporting only one attraction rather than settling for both.
Do you think I could go up to the next city meeting and request a badminton court and get a permanent location for that? NO! My husband is not on the rec board!
Lois you need to make sure these people are reminded that we are not against pickle ball, rather the way it was handled!
Billy D., I look forward to your response to what I have just said. I'm sure it will be you spouting off words with no research behind it. Or hopefully I made you speechless, because when I read all of your comments to each individual, I felt sorry for you.
Billy D, It's funny that you agree with 2cool and then respond to 8:57 who is 2cool that that is"Even a dumber comment". Whose side on you on? LOL
I wonder who Billy D REALLY is?
Why is the gate on the west side of the tennis court still locked? Mr. Ambassador unlock that gate!
I think after ready most of your posts you are all closed minded and typical small town folks being rude! Look around you! Do you think everything that happens from parks to city to state doesn't come from one persons idea? One person approaches a committee and it goes from there and if you don't believe it, go work for a city or park or state! So one person came up with an idea, pitched it, the park agreed, they chose courts to try it, now your all mad! There are other parks...go play tennis ere! If a city closes a road you use every day what do you do? Use another! It's a city park and things will change and if you would give it time, maybe for the better of our community! So instead of sitting here commenting rudely back and forth to each other, stop being closed minded and bitter because you didn't have an idea,itch it to the board, and get your way! And last time I checked...instead of bashing park boards think about all the crap they put up with for free! They have to sit here knowing rude people who have nothing better to do then complain are starting blogs ripping on them and their decisions. And they don't get paid people!
They don't have to sit there and take it as you stated. There is no obligation for them to stay on if they are unhappy or feel unappreciated. They can simply resign. Go back to their regular life and give someone new an opportunity to be on the commission.
This is what happens when people are in a position to long, they feel like the commission can't run without them and we all know that is not true. Adding new and fresh ideas is always a good idea.
9:06 Obviously you haven't been reading the blog from the conception of this park fiasco. What it all boils down to is that l individual has taken over a public park for his own personal play ground. Not only has he gotten his way he's rubbing it into those who used to use the park regularly. Would you appreciate a noisy pickle ball court within 20feet of your backyard? Don't answer that question unless you're one of the people who live that close to the court. I doubt that you or many people would. No one was ever opposed to pickle ball. They were just opposed to the way the situation was handled and shoved upon them and the amount of time city workers put into the court to make it meet the ambassadors requirements.
9:06 I have stated from the beginning that I have nothing against pickle ball, but I do have a problem with taking away a frequently used tennis court by people of all ages. The rec commission should have approached all neighbors surrounding the park, especially those closest to the court. Then make a decision. Also I cannot understand why the court could not have been used for both. And 9:06 if you could answer one more question for me, I would like to know why the residents of Baker Lake were asked about the fireworks before a decision was made and that was only for one night, maybe only an hour. This affects everyone everyday. And I am not saying that the fireworks should be at the lake I am just trying to make the point that the residents there were asked. We were not. Why not? Jill
9:06 If you don't like us small town folks feel free to move to the big city.
9:06 Just as a reminder your one idea theory is wrong. Rodney had an idea about fireworks at Baker Lake. One man,one idea. And an alderman. How did that work for him? Jill
9:06 If you are going to call us small town, closed minded AND rude, please have the courtesy to sign your name. Thank You! Jill Bernal
Waiting for a response to the above comments 9:06.
Lois you and others should heed your own advice fr your post at 8:55. If you don't like the way the city is run feel free to move, and if the people don't like having a pickle ball court in the park then they can feel free to move.
9:37 AM
You lose on that comment because those who got there first get to stay,(meaning their homes were built long before the park) the pickleballers get to leave as they arrived too late.
Certainly easier to move the game than to move a family and a lot more sensible too, in fact it is a no brainer.
A good atty can find some good laws of precedence to take care of your claim. Those of us who don't like the way things are being done plan to stay and do something about it.
Anon 9:37 You and your attitude are exactly what the USA does not need. If everyone thought as you do we wouldn't have a USA and you wouldn't have freedom of expression.
I was just repeating Lois's comment from 8:55. It said if you don't like us small town folks, feel free to move to the big city. Why is ok for Lois to make that statement, but not me?
Maybe 9:06 was here before you so using your logic, you should go.
You have no logic because I did not make the statement you are attributing to me. Get your facts straight please.
Quite blaming Lois for a statement I made.
ANON 12:19
You Flunked! Confusing Lois for Linda. A deep thinker such as yourself I expected much better. Sorry Lois-Linda or should I say Linda-Lois will try to get someone worthy of being considered a challenge.
Hard to tell them apart. I think they share one mind.
I am moving to Granville. No pickleball there.
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