Central Park Tennis Court Controversy Ends

After its plans were a year in the making, the Parks Department recently abandoned a proposal that would have placed four climate-controlled winter bubbles over Central Parks tennis courts from November 15 to March 23. The plan included golf cart rides to carry uptown players from Fifth Avenue and Central Park West to the courts.

Just last February, the Upper East Side's Community Board, Community Board 7, approved the proposal. Months later the Upper West Side's Community Board 8 raised concerns over the bubble approved by Community Board 7, including environmental concerns from heating the 26 courts with diesel generators and expensive court fees. The proposed play fees, ranging from $30 to $100 per hour, would have varied depending upon the popularity of the time slot. At the more than half-dozen bubbled tennis courts at other city parks throughout the city, hourly rentals typically run between $28 and $56. The rate of a season pass for the tennis courts is currently $100 for March through November. The revenue generated would have gone to the city's general fund rather than the Parks Department. Community Board 8 was concerned that the required fees would create exclusivity in this public space as many people could not afford to use the courts in winter. Others complained that the bubbles would obstruct park views.

As a result of the complaints by Community Board 8, Community Board 7 chose to revisit its decision and withdrew its support from the bubble project. Sen. Liz Krueger, whose district covers the entire park, issued a letter in opposition to the plan. Krueger said she was disturbed that the Parks Department would propose such an idea. “[The plan] violates the entire commitment of Parks Department to keep Central Park the crown jewel,” Krueger said. The Parks Department dropped the proposal at the end of April.

This is the second time this year the Parks Department has abandoned plans for a tennis bubble on the Upper East Side. This spring the city also abandoned its plan to cover popular softball fields at Queensborough Oval beneath the 59th Street Bridge on the East Side year round and use the land for tennis.

Are you in favor of bubbling Upper East Side tennis courts for winter use? What if a more environmentally friendly heating method were available?