Parks & Recreation unveils strategic plan; proposes two dedicated pickleball courts at Nike Park

Mike Frickanes, director of Parks & Recreation, presented the department's strategic plan, which he said aligns with the county comprehensive plan and a departmental master plan. The plan is organized into "core service areas" (athletics, camps, recreation centers, senior programs, special events and facility maintenance) with goals, strategies and KPIs; Frickanes said the department will track participation, field usage and customer satisfaction through monthly and annual reporting.

Frickanes proposed converting one tennis court at Nike Park into two dedicated pickleball courts using parks' capital maintenance funds; he said the conversion could be accomplished within the department's annual maintenance budget and that local citizens or clubs could organize leagues. He also explained staff limitations: a therapeutic-recreation specialist supports the RISE program and summer-camp scheduling may require pausing some weekly programs. Board members asked for KPI dashboards and further inventory work to ensure proffered neighborhood green space is counted appropriately in future planning.