From the HCPA Board of Directors
We all just want to play!
I hope that this request finds everyone healthy and happy. Our Association is comprised of
many individuals with one common interest: to play Pickleball.
The Association posts times when we have scheduled organized play. The Session Coordinators
carry nets and balls to the courts. They may do this several times a week. It is a commitment
that we all can appreciate.
On some occasions, and recently more often because the sport is popular, there are small
groups who are playing on one of the courts we are using to play or teach. We cannot reserve
the courts. The courts are public, and we understand that fact. But many times, the players
using the one court are HCPA members. The HCPA member sees the class or session coming,
but they do not join the group nor do they yield the court for the larger group. This impacts
many people.
When Pickleball lines were first painted on tennis courts in Columbia, a crowd of Pickleball
players would come to a court, only to find two tennis players sitting on a court. It was
infuriating since there were so many other close-by tennis courts and only these few pickleball
courts.
There are many new courts in the area. The Association is limited to the courts we are allowed
to use for open play. As stated, we do not own these courts and folks have a perfectly legal
right to use them. But we would kindly ask members to please check the schedule online and if
you see a conflict, please use one of the other available courts. Non-association play is allowed
on all Howard County Recreation and Park courts, as well as Gateway and many of the high
schools (see Places to Play on our website). It is easier to move one small group than all the
members in our planned session. We can only ask that you please be considerate.
Thank you for your time and attention to this matter.