Demolition of the two tennis courts in Beaverdale’s Ashby Park is underway. City crews have taken down the fencing and are tearing up the hard court surface.

Des Moines Parks and Recreation officials said the condition of the court surface had deteriorated to the point that it was no longer safe for playing. Large cracks had developed in the surface. The city also said there isn’t enough money in the capital improvements budget to repair or replace the courts.

On Thursday, February 26th, two end leaders were ripping out the court surface and loading it into dump trucks to haul away.

The city will eventually seed the area with grass once the spring growing season arrives.

An earlier story on beaverdale.org has more information about the city’s decision, which included removal of tennis courts from two other parks.