The city of Des Moines has notified the Beaverdale Neighborhood Association that the two tennis courts in Ashby Park, 3200 38th Street, will be removed this winter.

The city says the condition of the courts at Ashby, as well as one court at Union Park and four courts in Good Park has deteriorated to the point where they cannot be repaired and are no longer safe.

City recreation superintendent John Hagener says, “We recognize that this news will be disappointing for the neighborhoods and tennis advocates connected to these parks. At this time, there is no funding identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP) for replacement courts at these locations. Currently, the city maintains 41 tennis courts systemwide; following these removals, that number will be reduced to 34.”

Photos included in a city document show wide cracks at the Ashby Park courts.

Hagener continued, “This decision was not made lightly. Our team understands the value these courts provide to neighborhoods and the broader tennis community, and we share in the disappointment of losing amenities that have served residents for many years. If the courts could be repaired or resurfaced, staff would strongly prefer that option. Unfortunately, the existing conditions present ongoing safety concerns for park patrons, including significant cracking, uneven surfaces, and structural failures that cannot be addressed through standard maintenance and repairs. These courts would require full reconstruction to remain in service, and again, that is not an option with current funding.”

The rec department says it based its decision on the Ashby courts on the age and condition of the court pavement, the feasibility of repair, safety and liability issues, and size and depth of the cracks in the court surface.

Hagener says he expects the courts will be removed before spring and overseeded with grass once the weather allows. He says there is no money allocated in the city’s capital improvement budget for repairing or replacing the courts.