Meeting on Woods Park tennis expansion filled to the brim with Lincoln residents

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – On Saturday, the Lincoln Parks and Recreation Department began hearing public comments over whether to expand tennis courts at Woods Park.

The meeting room at Woods Park Place was packed with about 150 Lincoln residents ready to share their opinions.

Those in support of the expansion said tennis is important to the community, and the space needs an upgrade.

Sarah Albright said there isn’t always enough space for every player.

“When I first signed up for classes I was told I’d need to do it right away and I’d probably be put on a waiting list,” she said. “A few months ago, my 5-year-old son was watching me play and he asked if he could do it too. When we asked about classes for his age level, we were told the same thing.”

Many shared personal experiences with tennis and why they want to see it expanded.

Darryl Rahn, who lost one of his legs to bone cancer, said tennis helps him get away.

“I’ve been playing wheelchair tennis at Woods Park for 38 years,” he said. “Tennis is not just a sport, it’s been a rehabilitation for me. When I’m on the court, outside life stands still.”

But those who oppose the change believe the park should be left the way it is.

Many said Woods Tennis should build a new facility somewhere else, such as south Lincoln.

Elgin Hunt said he’s lived in the neighborhood near the park since 1969.

“I’ve seen this park go from a fun place to walk our dogs, launch my model rockets- it’s all gone and being taken,” he said. “I take this pretty doggone personally, and it hurts to see them keep paving over what was meant to be Woods Park.”

Many opponents agreed that tennis has expanded into the green space for decades.

Hans Gilde said after hearing other testimonies, he doesn’t believe Woods Tennis will ever stop building courts.

“I’ll bet you anything that within five to ten years, they’ll be back for more,” he said. “That’s the history of this whole thing.”

J.J. Yost, assistant director of Lincoln Parks and Recreation, said he was happy to hear so many opinions.

“I’m absolutely thrilled with the number of people here,” he said. “That just shows that there is interest.”

Yost said the decision on what to do will take some time, and it won’t be easy.

“We’re early in the process here,” he said. “So now it’s a case of sifting through this information and trying to come up with the right recommendations.”

If you’d like to share your take on what should be done, there will be two more public meetings held on Monday and Tuesday.

You can also submit comments through an online survey until March 17.