Echo Park - New tennis court
Echo Park is an existing park located south of Manotick at 6698 Marina Drive, Ward 21 (Rideau-Goulbourn).
The project proposes the addition of a single tennis court to the park. Additionally, a park bench and a new pathway link will provide access the tennis court. The Facility would not include lighting. Pickleball lines would not be painted on the court.
As the members of community will be aware, Echo Park experiences seasonal flooding. Users may experience restrictions or later seasonal openings of the facility compared to other City tennis courts.
The public should be aware that the introduction of a tennis court to this site will result in the removal of the existing T-ball backstop. It may also require the relocation of the soccer goal posts within the park, slightly to the north-east.
The project is currently in the design phase, and the Parks and Facilities Planning Branch is seeking the public’s input on the proposed. Detailed grading and engineering details are yet to be confirmed and approved. The City reserves the right to cancel the project should further engineering and design work find the project unfeasible or unsuitable.
Download the Concept Plan here.
Please provide your comments in the feedback form below.
What we learned:
Public consultation has now concluded. The City thanks everyone who took the time to share their thoughts on the proposed tennis court. Feedback received on the proposed was mixed with both excitement and opposition for the proposed. Of those in favour – a common theme expressed was the desire for the proposed tennis facility to be altered to also include pickleball lines. To the contrary, others expressed support for the project contingent on the court not being used for pickleball. Of those indicating opposition, concerns include: Flooding, limited seasonal use, wanting for other park amenities or City Services, Environmental issues, Traffic & traffic noise, Pickleball noise, and lack of pickleball lines.
Going Forward
As identified in the project description, the proposed facility was never intended to include pickleball lines. The City is currently undertaking the creation of a Tennis and Pickleball Strategy. The Strategy aims to identify and implement standards, clear guidelines and protocols for existing and future outdoor tennis and pickleball courts throughout the City of Ottawa. Additionally, it aims to provide safe, equitable and accessible tennis and pickleball courts across the City.
Having heard opposition to the project, as well as the significant desire to play pickleball in the community, Staff have determined that the decision should be put on hold until l the completion of the Tennis and Pickleball Strategy. It is envisioned that the Strategy will provide the needed direction and better inform the suitability of Echo Park and other potential locations to provide tennis and/or pickleball facilities in this community. We thank all those who provided feedback to this project.
