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Bergen County in a pickle over new courts at Overpeck Park
RIDGEFIELD PARK - If you build it, we won't come. That's what pickleball players are saying about Bergen County's long-awaited plan to create six courts at Overpeck Park using a synthetic tile surface to replace the cracking asphalt. Pickleballers say that if the new surface is installed, it will be a disaster. Synthetic tiles tend to trap dirt and debris on the edges and are anything but smooth, which makes them rough on the knees and joints. The tile surface doesn't provide a true bounce, because it tends to sag, and is not recommended by the sport's governing body, the USA Pickleball Association. "We could twist an ankle or fall flat on our face," said Iris Borman, a Cliffside Park resident who plays pickleball three times a week in Bergen County. "For years, we've been asking the county to provide us with these courts, but they didn't even consult us before they chose to install tiles, which is absolutely the wrong kind of surface." Seeking space: Pickleballers in Bergen County want your respect, and your tennis courts Interest growing: Pickleballers, on a roll, court new members Watch: Bill Ervolino gets a lesson in pickleball About a dozen pickleball players went to the freeholder meeting in Hackensack on Wednesday night to urge the county to back off the installation. Player after player denounced the tiles as dangerous, but the freeholders appeared unmoved. Ken Leung of Ridgefield said the county's decision to contract with a landscape architect to to design the pickleball courts was "akin to asking a plumber how to build a wastewater treatment plant or an electrician how to restart a generating station. I can only say it is a choice that is dumbfounding, and totally inexplicable," he said. Just about every player who addressed the freeholders said the tiles are dangerous and would increase the likelihood of injury. Borman, who was the last speaker, said the liability lay with the county. "You wouldn't put artificial turf on a golf course, but you'll put tiles on a pickleball court," she said. The freeholders listened, but when it came to time to respond, they all remained silent. Frustrated, the pickleball players got up and left the meeting. Bergen County has been touting the tiles as safe and cost-effective, and, contrary to what the players say, they claim the surface meets USA Pickleball guidelines. County spokeswoman Alicia D'Allesandro said the decision to go with tile was made in light of budgetary considerations and was the most responsible choice. Close up photo of tile surface on a Pickleball court. (Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com)
"The county Parks Department received suggestions and input from the pickleball enthusiasts," she said. "As with any project, we investigated available options and worked to make the most responsible choice, taking into consideration budget and the needs and safety of our constituents." Borman and Norman Levy, another frequent pickleball player from Fort Lee, said they've sent emails to the Parks Department and County Executive Jim Tedesco. The New Jersey Pickleball Association and the USA Pickleball Association have joined in, urging Bergen County to drop the tiles, which are considered more cost-effective. "It's arrogance," Borman said. "It's a complete disregard for the people who elected them. Levy says tiles provide an uneven surface. Pickleball advocates Iris Borman of Cliffside Park and Norm Levy of Fort Lee (foreground) play Pickleball together on a concrete surface at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park on 05/15/18. (Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com)
"With these tiles, you can't discern the highs or the lows on the court," Levy said. "It all looks level. But it isn't." Bergen County currently does not have any public pickleball courts, and it is the only county in New Jersey without them. In January, Borman and a group of pickleballers convinced the Bergen County freeholders to change that, and the Parks Department came up with a plan to convert three tennis courts in Overpeck Park into six pickleball courts. The county subsequently awarded a $109,439 contract to Marturano Recreation of Sea Girt to make the conversion. The county has announced a completion date of June 1, although as of Tuesday, the work had not been started. Freeholder Steve Tanelli said the county "heard the public's voice" and moved to create the pickleball courts. In a statement announcing that the project would be completed by June 1, Bergen County Parks Director Jim Koth said the new surface "dramatically reduces the impact of lunging and jumping on players' bodies, lessening the risk of injury." Marturano Recreation did not respond to a request for comment. The USA Pickleball Association says interlocking tiles are "not optimal for quality pickleball play" and that participants are likely to take their paddles elsewhere. "While pickleball players across the country have grown accustomed to playing on a variety of surfaces with an increasing number of locations, they are now able to be a little more selective and will be less inclined to play on a court with a less-than-optimal surface," said Christine Barksdale, managing director of competition and athlete programs for the USA Pickleball Association. Borman said that if tiles are installed, there's no chance Bergen County could ever hold a tournament, because the courts don't meet USA Pickleball guidelines for competitive play. Levy believes many pickleballers won't want to play on them. What is pickleball? Pickleball, a combination of tennis and ping-pong that is played on a badminton-size court, is a fast-growing sport among baby boomers. It started in 1965 as a backyard game in Bainbridge Island, Washington, but has enjoyed steady growth, and there are now more than 6,000 courts in the United States. Read or Share this story: https://njersy.co/2rMU2qb
2018-05-19 12:51:24
That's what pickleball players are saying about Bergen County's long-awaited plan to create six courts at Overpeck Park using a synthetic tile surface to replace the cracking asphalt.
Pickleballers say that if the new surface is installed, it will be a disaster. Synthetic tiles tend to trap dirt and debris on the edges and are anything but smooth, which makes them rough on the knees and joints. The tile surface doesn't provide a true bounce, because it tends to sag, and is not recommended by the sport's governing body, the USA Pickleball Association.
"We could twist an ankle or fall flat on our face," said Iris Borman, a Cliffside Park resident who plays pickleball three times a week in Bergen County. "For years, we've been asking the county to provide us with these courts, but they didn't even consult us before they chose to install tiles, which is absolutely the wrong kind of surface."
Seeking space: Pickleballers in Bergen County want your respect, and your tennis courts
Interest growing: Pickleballers, on a roll, court new members
Watch: Bill Ervolino gets a lesson in pickleball
About a dozen pickleball players went to the freeholder meeting in Hackensack on Wednesday night to urge the county to back off the installation. Player after player denounced the tiles as dangerous, but the freeholders appeared unmoved.
Ken Leung of Ridgefield said the county's decision to contract with a landscape architect to to design the pickleball courts was "akin to asking a plumber how to build a wastewater treatment plant or an electrician how to restart a generating station. I can only say it is a choice that is dumbfounding, and totally inexplicable," he said.
Just about every player who addressed the freeholders said the tiles are dangerous and would increase the likelihood of injury. Borman, who was the last speaker, said the liability lay with the county. "You wouldn't put artificial turf on a golf course, but you'll put tiles on a pickleball court," she said.
The freeholders listened, but when it came to time to respond, they all remained silent. Frustrated, the pickleball players got up and left the meeting.
Bergen County has been touting the tiles as safe and cost-effective, and, contrary to what the players say, they claim the surface meets USA Pickleball guidelines.
County spokeswoman Alicia D'Allesandro said the decision to go with tile was made in light of budgetary considerations and was the most responsible choice.
Close up photo of tile surface on a Pickleball court. (Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com)
"The county Parks Department received suggestions and input from the pickleball enthusiasts," she said. "As with any project, we investigated available options and worked to make the most responsible choice, taking into consideration budget and the needs and safety of our constituents."
Borman and Norman Levy, another frequent pickleball player from Fort Lee, said they've sent emails to the Parks Department and County Executive Jim Tedesco. The New Jersey Pickleball Association and the USA Pickleball Association have joined in, urging Bergen County to drop the tiles, which are considered more cost-effective.
"It's arrogance," Borman said. "It's a complete disregard for the people who elected them.
Levy says tiles provide an uneven surface.
Pickleball advocates Iris Borman of Cliffside Park and Norm Levy of Fort Lee (foreground) play Pickleball together on a concrete surface at Overpeck Park in Ridgefield Park on 05/15/18. (Photo: Mitsu Yasukawa/Northjersey.com)
"With these tiles, you can't discern the highs or the lows on the court," Levy said. "It all looks level. But it isn't."
Bergen County currently does not have any public pickleball courts, and it is the only county in New Jersey without them. In January, Borman and a group of pickleballers convinced the Bergen County freeholders to change that, and the Parks Department came up with a plan to convert three tennis courts in Overpeck Park into six pickleball courts.
The county subsequently awarded a $109,439 contract to Marturano Recreation of Sea Girt to make the conversion. The county has announced a completion date of June 1, although as of Tuesday, the work had not been started.
Freeholder Steve Tanelli said the county "heard the public's voice" and moved to create the pickleball courts.
In a statement announcing that the project would be completed by June 1, Bergen County Parks Director Jim Koth said the new surface "dramatically reduces the impact of lunging and jumping on players' bodies, lessening the risk of injury."
Marturano Recreation did not respond to a request for comment.
The USA Pickleball Association says interlocking tiles are "not optimal for quality pickleball play" and that participants are likely to take their paddles elsewhere.
"While pickleball players across the country have grown accustomed to playing on a variety of surfaces with an increasing number of locations, they are now able to be a little more selective and will be less inclined to play on a court with a less-than-optimal surface," said Christine Barksdale, managing director of competition and athlete programs for the USA Pickleball Association.
Borman said that if tiles are installed, there's no chance Bergen County could ever hold a tournament, because the courts don't meet USA Pickleball guidelines for competitive play. Levy believes many pickleballers won't want to play on them.
What is pickleball?
Pickleball, a combination of tennis and ping-pong that is played on a badminton-size court, is a fast-growing sport among baby boomers. It started in 1965 as a backyard game in Bainbridge Island, Washington, but has enjoyed steady growth, and there are now more than 6,000 courts in the United States.
Read or Share this story: https://njersy.co/2rMU2qb