City Provides Update on Woods Tennis Proposal

City Provides Update on Woods Tennis Proposal

Published on April 23, 2024

Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross, and Todd Peterson, Friends of Woods Tennis (FOWT) Board President, today provided an update on the status of a proposal submitted to the City by FOWT to expand its tennis facility in Woods Park. The update followed an extensive ten-month public engagement process seeking input from the community on the proposal.

"The City of Lincoln is committed to continuing to work with our community members and partners to enhance our public parks and recreation opportunities so that everyone in our community can access and benefit from both," said Mayor Gaylor Baird. "We are proud of the Parks and Recreation Department's comprehensive and compassionate public engagement efforts in which all voices were heard."

The FOWT, a nonprofit organization that has operated the tennis facility in Woods Park since 2008, submitted a proposal in June 2023 to expand the footprint of the tennis complex. After thorough consideration and community engagement, Peterson said the FOWT board voted to withdraw the expansion proposal and pursue alternative locations.

Director Stuckey-Ross praised the partnership between FOWT and the City and thanked them for their work to make tennis accessible to the Lincoln community.

"Friends of Woods Tennis is a valued community partner and trusted non-profit," said Stuckey-Ross. "The recreational opportunities they offer, in partnership with the City, enable us to provide tennis to the community."

Peterson said tennis operations would continue at Woods Park during the search for a new location. He said moving the complex would allow FOWT to meet growing demand for tennis facilities.

"Our goal has always been to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for everyone to enjoy the sport of tennis," Peterson said. "Looking ahead, we are excited about a blank canvas for a new, state-of-the-art tennis center that will better accommodate the needs of our community and the Missouri Valley region."

Peterson said the FOWT board plans to immediately begin evaluating alternative sites for a new facility to add capacity for their programming. The search will include both public and private land.

Stuckey-Ross said the City looks forward to its continued partnership with FOWT and reaffirmed its support for the organization's relocation efforts.

"We remain open to and supportive of public-private partnerships that activate our places and our residents and are grateful to the community advocates who utilize and care for our spaces," Stuckey-Ross said.

For more information about Woods Park, visit lincoln.ne.gov/WoodsPark. For more information about Woods Tennis, visit woodstennis.com.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.