A clock to remind people when it’s time to stop pickling. Better enforcement of court time limits to avoid “awkward social interactions.” And measures to keep people who live out of town from using a bogus address to sign up to use the courts.
As the first season of play wraps up at Red Bank’s new East Side Park pickleball courts, the Borough’s Recreation Department and Parks and Recreation Committee are considering these changes and other proposals to better manage the insatiable demand for court time next spring.
Because while, by all accounts, the first season of the new courts was a rousing success, this is still pickleball we’re talking about — a booming sport whose explosive growth has caused friction and turf battles nationwide.
And, here during Red Bank’s first year with the new courts? Oh yeah, things got a little nutty sometimes.
“It got to the point where it was out of control,” said Recreation Director Oscar Salinas.
That happened shortly after the borough began requiring players to book courts using an app as the spring season got underway in earnest.
The software gives Red Bank residents priority, allowing them to book a court four days in advance. Non-residents can only book a court one day in advance.
Source: https://www.redbankgreen.com/2024/10/season-of-pickleball-madness-wraps-up-at-new-red-bank-courts10022024/