Background

The Fairfax County Park Authority is proposing to establish dedicated tennis and pickleball courts at Franconia Rec Center, building on improvements currently in progress and recently completed on the property. These changes would involve returning the existing dual-use pickleball/tennis court, “Tennis Court #3,” back to a tennis-only court and converting half of the existing tennis practice courts to pickleball-only. The proposed redesign would provide a total of three dedicated tennis courts, six dedicated pickleball courts and two practice courts with a stroking wall to better serve the two racquet sports. 

The Park Authority is committed to meeting the diverse recreational needs of the community and invites the public to provide input on the proposal for racquet courts. In an effort to provide comparative playing opportunities for both racquet sports, the Park Authority is beginning a search for sites to provide each sport with dedicated courts by utilizing the existing court surfaces and creatively working within those spaces. To meet the growing demand for racquet facilities, the Park Authority opened dedicated racquet courts for both pickleball and tennis players at Wakefield Park in Annandale.  

The proposed practice court conversion to two pickleball courts could start as early as late September. The converted courts could be open this winter with a blacktop surface, fencing, nets and playing lines available. The project’s final completion would be in Spring 2026. Until the final completion of the converted pickleball courts, “Tennis Court #3” will remain a dual-use court for both pickleball and tennis with the portable pickleball nets available. Additionally, community members are encouraged to use the Park Amenity Locator to identify courts throughout the county available for play. 

Public Comment