Sargent Park tennis courts are now free to the public

The ball is now in the court of community members who want full access to the tennis courts at Sargent Park.

Over the past 10 years, Sargent Park Tennis Gardens has contracted with the city to operate and maintain six courts. Still, some in the community say court hours and fees are excessive.

This week, the city committee decided not to renew the nonprofit's lease so residents can use the city-operated facility 24-7 for free.

Number. Cindy Gilroy and a group of local tennis enthusiasts convinced the real estate committee not to renew the lease.

“It really didn't work for the community,” Gilroy said. “It was very expensive for a lot of people in our town, and we wanted to have a place for everyone to go.”

Jeri Laforteza loves that the courts are now open to the public and said the $10 fee to use them is a barrier and the hours are too limited.

“Community (means) you have full access, anytime you want to play, anytime you want to leave, seven days a week. I call it the public,” Laforteza said.

But the tenant who left is worried that the courts will now be in dire straits.

“It's going to go down,” George Kylar said at the Sargent Park Tennis Garden. “If it's windy and leafy on your day, does anyone go there?”

He said the gate was closed for several hours for security reasons and he swept the courts and kept the nets tight.

He added an operation that led to major tennis tournaments.

“We made it look like you're almost at the U.S. Open. So people come from all over.”

A community group and councilors supporting the lease termination promise that the courts will receive tender love through volunteers, fundraising and grants if needed.

“We're going to find a way to keep this place clean, make it safe, make it playable,” Laforteza said.

The city parks department estimates it costs $5,000 a year to sweep the yards, replace the netting and paint the lines.