Friendship Park behind Sebastian City Hall is poised for a new sport to call it home – pickleball, a game that is a sort-of cross between tennis and badminton. But to make room for the pickleball courts, the City has to consider removing a little-used baseball field.
That ball field could be moved to another park or scrapped altogether.
For a brief period, the Sebastian Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee considered moving the ball field to Filbert Street Park, but the issue raised the ire of those who live near the park, prompting them to address the committee in force.
Residents voiced concerns about traffic a ball field would generate, the bright lights that would most likely be installed, and the noisiness of ball games.
Nancy Nolan, who lives on Joy Haven Drive near Filbert Street Park, reminded the committee that Filbert is a narrow street and that there are many children who live in the area, along with numerous dog walkers. There are also a number of wildlife species, including gopher tortoises, to take into consideration.
“These are big concerns,” she said.
Faced with opposition from the Filbert Street Park area, the committee appears at a loss for where – if anywhere – to put the displaced ball field.
“We’re outgrowing our parks,” committee member Joann White said, noting that Filbert Street Park is one of the few areas that still has room.
Another option presented to the committee was putting pickleball at Hardee Park – but that, too, generated concerns.
A pickleball player and mom of 8-year-old twin boys who also play questioned the viability of Hardee Park, noting the canals that surround the park. She also pointed out that there are no lights in the open grassy area under consideration, and there could be a lot of noise generated that could impact the neighbors.
Committee members agreed that Filbert Street Park should be removed from the table but kept Hardee Park in contention.
Committee member Rosemary Flescher said that by moving pickleball to Hardee Park, they wouldn’t have to relocate the ball field.
White, though, was less inclined to tap Hardee Park. She explained that they need to look at the big, long-term picture and questioned if Hardee Park could accommodate future expansion and parking needs.
Committee member Joann Webster has long objected to losing the ball field at Friendship Park. However, she agreed with her fellow board members that Friendship is a good place for pickleball, even if it means losing the ball field.
“It is better suited,” she said. “But I just don’t have to like it.”
Regardless of where the pickleball courts would go, the City plans to install at least eight courts, which can accommodate as many as 32 players at a time.
Mari Colacino, who represents the Vero Beach pickleball group, addressed the Sebastian committee on behalf of Karen Pallon, who was unable to attend. Colacino told the committee that the Vero Beach group grew from 60 players to more than 230 in about six months.
She encouraged the committee to plan adequate parking and perhaps permanent seating as beach chairs tend to go flying with the breeze as players move from their seats to the courts.
In Vero Beach, the pickleball group charges for play – $2 each time or $24 for the year. They split the fees with the city – something that could be implemented in Sebastian, she said.
Colacino said that if Sebastian plans and builds the pickleball courts with the future in mind, the City could capitalize on pickleball tournaments – another potential revenue generator for Sebastian.
City Manager Joe Griffin said the next steps are for staff to get hard cost estimates for bringing pickleball to both Friendship and Hardee parks and report back to the committee. Griffin said Hardee Park would be the fastest and least expensive option.
