Dear Court 51,
May I call you Court? Perhaps I should contribute my correspondence with the Park Board (below).
Also...dropped by the courts of yore this eve, (Monday). First coat of paint is down. Blue. Fencing and gates seem complete. A young painter named Nick held up two fingers, "Two weeks!", he said. Blue courts with contrasting light green perimeter area according to him. Not sure if "two weeks" refers to painting and curing or the project in total. Anyway, coming along....
Bill
Hello William,
Thank you for submitting testimony to the Board of Park Commissioner's about the pilot program for non-tennis uses of tennis courts. Your e-mail was forwarded to the Board of Park Commissioners and to Dennis Cook, Seattle Parks' Citywide Recreation Manager.
The Board plans to discuss the proposal and make a recommendation at its August 28 meeting. That meeting is scheduled for 7:00 pm at Seattle Parks Headquarters, 100 Dexter Avenue North. Please let me know if you would like a copy of the agenda (it is distributed about 10 days prior to the meeting) or if I can be of further assistance.
Sandy Brooks
Park Board Coordinator
(206) 684-5066
www.seattle.gov/parks/parkboard
"Creating community through people, parks and programs."
www.seattle.gov/parks
>>> William Horn 7/24/2008 8:46 PM >>>
This is a door that should not be opened. Our public courts are already
subject to the (putatively illicit) use and abuse by skateboarders,
bicyclists, dodgeballers, soccer players, etc. The wear and tear of
unconventional uses of the courts is unsustainable. Tennis nets are not
designed to repel soccer balls, dodgeballs, etc. Court surfaces are
damaged by novel and intensive uses for which they are not designed.
Moreover, it is already difficult for the tennis playing public to find
available courts in playable condition let alone competing with
untraditional and destructive recreations. I urge the Board to close
this Pandora's box and let those of us who practice the religion of
tennis to observe our faith as God intended.
Sincerely,
William Horn
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Monday, July 28, 2008
New Court pics
From what Lou said.. the courts will take a week to dry, and a couple of weeks to do the parking lot..
Friday, July 25, 2008
Updates
Anyone go to last nights meeting? Any updates concerning the courts? I plan on bringing my dodge ball and street hockey gear to upper woodland today. Just think in another 2 months order will be restored and the lower courts will be finished.
This is just a side note. I ran into some court regulars telling me if they knew I was going to be at the courts they would have brought their racquets to have them restrung. If you need your racquets restrung you can either call or email me. I'm not at the courts quite as often anymore but, I am willing to meet pick up racquets somewhere convenient for both of us. Ken is a gold star member, I drop his off at his house...Mario on the other hand is an exclusive member of the tin foil star.
This is just a side note. I ran into some court regulars telling me if they knew I was going to be at the courts they would have brought their racquets to have them restrung. If you need your racquets restrung you can either call or email me. I'm not at the courts quite as often anymore but, I am willing to meet pick up racquets somewhere convenient for both of us. Ken is a gold star member, I drop his off at his house...Mario on the other hand is an exclusive member of the tin foil star.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Tennis Meeting
Ok, there's a correction the meeting is for Thursday.
Anyone plan on going to the Tennis meeting this week? Thursday at 7, but get there by 6 so you can say your piece. Read Sweet Lou's comments. Also there are a few Greenlake regulars who entered in the up and coming Washington State Open.
Anyone plan on going to the Tennis meeting this week? Thursday at 7, but get there by 6 so you can say your piece. Read Sweet Lou's comments. Also there are a few Greenlake regulars who entered in the up and coming Washington State Open.
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Josey, Ice and the stoner girl.
Soooo....its the wee hours of the tennis day.. Wednesday evening.. 6:30..
The majority of the tennis has been played out, only a couple on the courts just wrapping things up.. It was a day of libation to say the least, Larry and his cornucopia of brews had just left, Mario and his beer possy were all gone, only the ruminants of Roman's Styrofoams ice cooler with watered down ice remained next to a nice shading tree no more than 20 feet from Roman.
Well two things happend and in what order I do not know and will not profess to know but,
1) Josey Gordon comes walking down from the parking lot, looking for a game, you know Josey.. "singles" singles??? doubles"????? singles? and apparantly, there is a taker. Josey just coming back from work goes up and disappears from view to change...
2) Not more than 40 feet from where Josey is changing behind the tree a .. perhaps an native american is standing, should I say leaning over, in a manner that suggest she's going to discharge things from her mouth, yet oddly just appears totally stoned and seems to have great trouble remaining in a up right position.. she remains that way for a moment and then staggers closer and closer only to stop and lean over again..
Sooo this is going on.. and Roman's watching with abaited interest.. thinking this stoned drunk woman is just going to keel over any second.. any second ..Its one of those things you know its going to happen and its just a matter of time..
and it happens.
Josey, this side of the stoned girl,
.. Josy trips while changing from his un-seen position behind the tree in only his tighty whities.. Stumbling and falling butt first into the Styrofoam ice chest.. he shatters the ice chest to all hell and lands like a brick on his proverbial arse in the pile of melting ice.
So unexpected was this, so stunning was this development, Roman after thinking it was the girl who was going to fall breaks out into full belly laughter
and then..
To add insult to injury, the girl meanwhile breaks out of her stumbling ways and breaks out laughing while taunting Josey over and over that he's in his undies.. "your in your undies" she repeated over and over.."your in your undies!" laughing unconscionably at Joseies misfortune.
I wish I saw that..
As told by Roman and re-told by me.. :)
The majority of the tennis has been played out, only a couple on the courts just wrapping things up.. It was a day of libation to say the least, Larry and his cornucopia of brews had just left, Mario and his beer possy were all gone, only the ruminants of Roman's Styrofoams ice cooler with watered down ice remained next to a nice shading tree no more than 20 feet from Roman.
Well two things happend and in what order I do not know and will not profess to know but,
1) Josey Gordon comes walking down from the parking lot, looking for a game, you know Josey.. "singles" singles??? doubles"????? singles? and apparantly, there is a taker. Josey just coming back from work goes up and disappears from view to change...
2) Not more than 40 feet from where Josey is changing behind the tree a .. perhaps an native american is standing, should I say leaning over, in a manner that suggest she's going to discharge things from her mouth, yet oddly just appears totally stoned and seems to have great trouble remaining in a up right position.. she remains that way for a moment and then staggers closer and closer only to stop and lean over again..
Sooo this is going on.. and Roman's watching with abaited interest.. thinking this stoned drunk woman is just going to keel over any second.. any second ..Its one of those things you know its going to happen and its just a matter of time..
and it happens.
Josey, this side of the stoned girl,
.. Josy trips while changing from his un-seen position behind the tree in only his tighty whities.. Stumbling and falling butt first into the Styrofoam ice chest.. he shatters the ice chest to all hell and lands like a brick on his proverbial arse in the pile of melting ice.
So unexpected was this, so stunning was this development, Roman after thinking it was the girl who was going to fall breaks out into full belly laughter
and then..
To add insult to injury, the girl meanwhile breaks out of her stumbling ways and breaks out laughing while taunting Josey over and over that he's in his undies.. "your in your undies" she repeated over and over.."your in your undies!" laughing unconscionably at Joseies misfortune.
I wish I saw that..
As told by Roman and re-told by me.. :)
Thurs
I think I'll stay away today.. licking my wounds so to speak. Yeah my lower back and hips act up and its such a struggle to swing, always end up using all arms and just spraying the crap out of everything.
'
Today looks like alittle break from the hot.. look to see everyone in the next several days though. happy hitting!
'
Today looks like alittle break from the hot.. look to see everyone in the next several days though. happy hitting!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
More updated pics..
What they are doing, now that the courts have been cured for the past 15 days is checking for drainage.
Wed
Tuesday..
Well if you were not at the courts today, you missed some good playing.. today promises to be the same. Some fantastic weather can only inhance your playing experience.
Well the trend is continuing.. more and more players from the greenlake zone are heading up to the upper courts.. why? who knows, but the courts get pretty crowded now and often a long line is the norm.
Well I will be out around 1:00 to round up some doubles, though I got a call today with someone threatining to steal the courts for singles.. not to play but just to hit.. come on.. go find a backboard.
Well if you were not at the courts today, you missed some good playing.. today promises to be the same. Some fantastic weather can only inhance your playing experience.
Well the trend is continuing.. more and more players from the greenlake zone are heading up to the upper courts.. why? who knows, but the courts get pretty crowded now and often a long line is the norm.
Well I will be out around 1:00 to round up some doubles, though I got a call today with someone threatining to steal the courts for singles.. not to play but just to hit.. come on.. go find a backboard.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sunday
Players were out in masses.
Starting early It was Lou, Tim and Roman and Nick. Looked pretty competitive and tight all the way through. Over on court 1 was Dean and Swanky playing Bendu and Ken. The former taking the first set in once again controversy before retiring with a shin problem by Steve.
Later Tim and Lou split sets with Nick and Bendu, while Ken and Joshua took out Vic and Norm.
Other activity occured on the upper courts that need special attention all to them selves.
Lots of brew as the heat got pretty high.
Starting early It was Lou, Tim and Roman and Nick. Looked pretty competitive and tight all the way through. Over on court 1 was Dean and Swanky playing Bendu and Ken. The former taking the first set in once again controversy before retiring with a shin problem by Steve.
Later Tim and Lou split sets with Nick and Bendu, while Ken and Joshua took out Vic and Norm.
Other activity occured on the upper courts that need special attention all to them selves.
Lots of brew as the heat got pretty high.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Lower Woodland Tennis Court project
Hello Bill:
-Good to meet you last night at the Park Board meeting.
I spoke with Ted Holden the Parks Department's project manager for the Lower Woodland Tennis Court project. As I mentioned last night, we received an extremely good bid for the work and were able to add much needed scope to the project while staying within the project budget. Not only are we completely rebuilding all 10 courts, but we are rebuilding the old broken up parking lot too. This additional scope has added days to the contract. Per our contract with the contractor, Emerald Paving, the date for Substantial Completion is officially September 22, 2008 - so the contractor has until that date to complete the project.
The contractor is doing a super job. Not only is the work top quality, but at this point they are ahead of schedule. There are still many steps in completing the project that require favorable weather (warmth and no rain). We have completed the A.C. paving of all 10 courts and they need to 'cure' a minimum of 15 days in warm dry weather, just like we are having now. A "flood test" of the A.C. courts (to indicate proper drainage and no puddling), and the color coat will follow. We have focused our efforts on the courts, and the parking lot rebuild will follow. We have been asked by the Parks Scheduling Office if the project will be complete for a tournament on Aug 23-29. At this point Ted is guardedly optimistic, BUT until we are a bit further along with the parking lot and provided we continue to have great weather, we cannot yet commit to opening the courts before the substantial completion date of Sept. 22. That determination won't be made until the end of the first week in August. By that time we should know with a pretty good measure of confidence when the project will be complete and the facility can be available for use.
I will ask Ted to check back with you at the end of the first week of August to provide you with an update. Ted can be reached via phone at 684.7021. Keep your fingers crossed for continued warm dry weather!
thank you,
Michael Shiosaki
Deputy Director
Planning & Development Division
Seattle Parks & Recreation
-Good to meet you last night at the Park Board meeting.
I spoke with Ted Holden the Parks Department's project manager for the Lower Woodland Tennis Court project. As I mentioned last night, we received an extremely good bid for the work and were able to add much needed scope to the project while staying within the project budget. Not only are we completely rebuilding all 10 courts, but we are rebuilding the old broken up parking lot too. This additional scope has added days to the contract. Per our contract with the contractor, Emerald Paving, the date for Substantial Completion is officially September 22, 2008 - so the contractor has until that date to complete the project.
The contractor is doing a super job. Not only is the work top quality, but at this point they are ahead of schedule. There are still many steps in completing the project that require favorable weather (warmth and no rain). We have completed the A.C. paving of all 10 courts and they need to 'cure' a minimum of 15 days in warm dry weather, just like we are having now. A "flood test" of the A.C. courts (to indicate proper drainage and no puddling), and the color coat will follow. We have focused our efforts on the courts, and the parking lot rebuild will follow. We have been asked by the Parks Scheduling Office if the project will be complete for a tournament on Aug 23-29. At this point Ted is guardedly optimistic, BUT until we are a bit further along with the parking lot and provided we continue to have great weather, we cannot yet commit to opening the courts before the substantial completion date of Sept. 22. That determination won't be made until the end of the first week in August. By that time we should know with a pretty good measure of confidence when the project will be complete and the facility can be available for use.
I will ask Ted to check back with you at the end of the first week of August to provide you with an update. Ted can be reached via phone at 684.7021. Keep your fingers crossed for continued warm dry weather!
thank you,
Michael Shiosaki
Deputy Director
Planning & Development Division
Seattle Parks & Recreation
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Non-tennis activity on Seattle courts
A couple of points to amplify Court 51's thorough summary of this topic.
First, a complete discussion of the one-year pilot project proposal can be found at the Board of Park Commissioners website (http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkboard 05-22-08 meeting minutes PDF. Second, the Park Board will hear public testimony (3-minutes per person, yes, it's timed) and vote to approve/disapprove this proposal at their July 24, 2008, meeting in the Park Board Room, Denny Park, 100 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, at 7:00 p.m.
Given the reaction of the Board at the May 22 meeting where this was first presented, I'd say the Board is inclined to approve this proposal, despite some concerns, because it's one court, a couple of nights a week, at Bobby Morris Playfield. The real concern is whether this is the beginning of an initiative to put multiple uses (e.g. bike polo, soccer, dodge ball, whatever), THAT ARE WILLING TO PAY, on courts citywide (god forbid, Lower Woodland). The dodge ball constituency had 8-people at the May 22 meeting. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
The USTA and the Puget Sound Tennis Tour have been contacted about this meeting. The Western Wash. VP of the PNW/USTA has said she'll be there. The PSTT has a post on their blog/forum about this. Comment from established organizations that Park & Rec. already know will hopefully have impact, but an audience of committed public-court tennis players are sure to help.
First, a complete discussion of the one-year pilot project proposal can be found at the Board of Park Commissioners website (http://www.seattle.gov/parks/parkboard 05-22-08 meeting minutes PDF. Second, the Park Board will hear public testimony (3-minutes per person, yes, it's timed) and vote to approve/disapprove this proposal at their July 24, 2008, meeting in the Park Board Room, Denny Park, 100 Dexter Avenue North, Seattle, at 7:00 p.m.
Given the reaction of the Board at the May 22 meeting where this was first presented, I'd say the Board is inclined to approve this proposal, despite some concerns, because it's one court, a couple of nights a week, at Bobby Morris Playfield. The real concern is whether this is the beginning of an initiative to put multiple uses (e.g. bike polo, soccer, dodge ball, whatever), THAT ARE WILLING TO PAY, on courts citywide (god forbid, Lower Woodland). The dodge ball constituency had 8-people at the May 22 meeting. As they say, the squeaky wheel gets the oil.
The USTA and the Puget Sound Tennis Tour have been contacted about this meeting. The Western Wash. VP of the PNW/USTA has said she'll be there. The PSTT has a post on their blog/forum about this. Comment from established organizations that Park & Rec. already know will hopefully have impact, but an audience of committed public-court tennis players are sure to help.
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Wednesday
Must be a rest day.. nice day to rest as only a handful of players were on board. Some new players, were seen including Bill.. Lou M. friend and also Guy and his faithful dog Woofie were on board.
Lets see..
We have a important announcement concerning the use of tennis courts in the area. Now I don't know the full details of this, and this is hearsay from Bill and a couple of others.. I"m hoping that someone that knows alittle more will fill in the gaps.
Apparantly, on the 24th. of this month, there will be a meeting that will affect how some of the courts are to be used. Seems a bunch of people that play dodge ball are petitioning the city to allow them to use the courts, especially the ones up on Capital hill, for the use of playing dodge ball. Similarly another group of bicyclists want to use the courts to play hockey. This was all brought up in a previous meeting where perhaps 10 or 11 pundits brought it up. Only from what I hear is Canada Norm was there to squelch the plan. Now this is only a pilot program and not a permanent situation. It is possible that the city could scrap the whole program later or worse, do an about face and expand on it.
This all being said, it is highly critcle that we nip this nonsense in the bud. We don't even want something like this to start or even imagined less it turns into something non-stoppable. So it would behoove you, if you enjoy and like the tennis and don't want to see other sports encroach on your turf to attend these meetings.
Again I don't know all the details and I'm hoping someone with more knowledge of the situation speaks up. Best person to talk to concerning this and where the meetings are held is Bill Peters. I think now Bill will post some more information here very shortly to keep everyone abreast of things.
0
Court update
coming along!
Lets see..
We have a important announcement concerning the use of tennis courts in the area. Now I don't know the full details of this, and this is hearsay from Bill and a couple of others.. I"m hoping that someone that knows alittle more will fill in the gaps.
Apparantly, on the 24th. of this month, there will be a meeting that will affect how some of the courts are to be used. Seems a bunch of people that play dodge ball are petitioning the city to allow them to use the courts, especially the ones up on Capital hill, for the use of playing dodge ball. Similarly another group of bicyclists want to use the courts to play hockey. This was all brought up in a previous meeting where perhaps 10 or 11 pundits brought it up. Only from what I hear is Canada Norm was there to squelch the plan. Now this is only a pilot program and not a permanent situation. It is possible that the city could scrap the whole program later or worse, do an about face and expand on it.
This all being said, it is highly critcle that we nip this nonsense in the bud. We don't even want something like this to start or even imagined less it turns into something non-stoppable. So it would behoove you, if you enjoy and like the tennis and don't want to see other sports encroach on your turf to attend these meetings.
Again I don't know all the details and I'm hoping someone with more knowledge of the situation speaks up. Best person to talk to concerning this and where the meetings are held is Bill Peters. I think now Bill will post some more information here very shortly to keep everyone abreast of things.
0
Court update
coming along!
Tuesday
Well if you weren't there today, you missed some good tennis. In the first match that featured some good volleys, verbly and on the court we had Dean and Paul, schooling Roman and Mario for a couple of sets.
Tim and Haung.. played singles, I"m not sure anyone saw that.
Bendu and moi lost a very tight set to Kelly and Mario, that featured some really good serving by all and some very good shots by all. Afterwards, Kelly and Roman cleaned house against Bendu and Haung.
So even though it was a bit hot, there was some good matches.
We look forward to more Wed.
Tim and Haung.. played singles, I"m not sure anyone saw that.
Bendu and moi lost a very tight set to Kelly and Mario, that featured some really good serving by all and some very good shots by all. Afterwards, Kelly and Roman cleaned house against Bendu and Haung.
So even though it was a bit hot, there was some good matches.
We look forward to more Wed.
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Ahhhh Roger
Not looking good for Rog.. why did he stop doing the things that were making him points?
HELLO RAF!
HELLO RAF!
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Saturday part 2
These pictures were taken on Friday at upperwoodland. John Mark and I almost took out Noman and Roy Pryor, we lost 5-7. RR Ron had some kind of visit by the police (not the rock band) I don't want to comment on it, as you might imagine, it wasn't good news. Players that were there were Norman, Ben, Taj, Pat and myself. At around 7pm Roy and John arrived. Roy is having another mixer at Magnolia next Saturday, certain high level players will be there including the no. 1 player in the state, Willy. Mark Bosley will be there too. Okay, see you at Lincoln tomorrow.
Dave
Saturday.. in the park?
A little showers this morning, but should be clearing by PM.. according to the sources.
Alot of us will be frequenting the upper courts this afternoon.
Alot of others will be at some function I'm not privy to.
Appears the Lower courts are ahead of schedule.. hoorah! Seem, the foundation has been laid, though thats all hearsay as I have not seen it myself. Anyone have better info.. pics, let us know.
Yesterday's tennis consisted of alot of us matriculating in and out of the two upper courts. Some good, some not so, some really bad.
Some good doubles on tv now, I'm watching, gonna do some house work and then finally head up to the courts around noon or so.. weather of course permitting.
cya there.
Alot of us will be frequenting the upper courts this afternoon.
Alot of others will be at some function I'm not privy to.
Appears the Lower courts are ahead of schedule.. hoorah! Seem, the foundation has been laid, though thats all hearsay as I have not seen it myself. Anyone have better info.. pics, let us know.
Yesterday's tennis consisted of alot of us matriculating in and out of the two upper courts. Some good, some not so, some really bad.
Some good doubles on tv now, I'm watching, gonna do some house work and then finally head up to the courts around noon or so.. weather of course permitting.
cya there.
Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Plans for Friday?
So what's the plan for Friday? Normally on the 4th Kevin would bring his grill and we'd (the rest of the regulars) bring some food or refreshments. Wimbledon semifinals are on that day too...Go Rafa!
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Cool Link
Here's a cool link that I like to read. It shows what strings the pros, both ATP and WTA use and their tensions.
http://www.colinthestringer.com/pros-strings/
http://www.colinthestringer.com/pros-strings/
Tuesday Tuesday..
Gonna up to Upper courts today, 2ish. Tim will be there.. Lou Possibly, The usual, anonymous, Romy.. Peter..Got my new racquet, feels good, looks good.. waiting to play!
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