Fruit Street Courts Policy and Procedures

Table of Contents

1. General Rules and Regulations
• Court Availability
• Scheduling and Reservations
• Code of Conduct
2. Safety and Equipment
• Required Equipment
• Safety Guidelines
• Emergency Procedures
3. Court Usage
• Priority of Play
• Court Etiquette
• Maintenance and Reporting Issues
• Public/Private Use of Courts
4. Tournaments, Events & Instructional Programs
5. Fees
6. Disciplinary Actions
• Reporting Violations
• Disciplinary Process

1. General Rules and Regulations

Court Availability

• Operating Hours: Courts are open from dawn to dusk. From May 31st to September 8th 2024 all courts will be open to the public on a first come first serve basis, Monday through Sunday.
• Playing Time: Please limit playing time to 1 hour if someone is waiting.  Each court will have a pickleball rack to keep track of the que.  
• Closure Notices: Any court closures for maintenance or events will be posted at least 24 hours in advance.
• Fall of 2024: Parks and Recreation will update the schedule to reflect instructional programs, tournaments/events, designated open play time, and potential court reservations.

Scheduling and Reservations

• From May 31st to September 8th 2024 all courts will be open to the public on a first come first serve basis, Monday through Sunday.  There are no reservations needed.
• Fall of 2024 Parks and Recreation will update the schedule to reflect instructional programs, tournaments/events, designated open play time, and potential court reservations.  

Code of Conduct

• Respect: All players and spectators are expected to treat each other with respect and courtesy.
• Sportsmanship: Players must adhere to the principles of good sportsmanship, including honesty in scorekeeping and line calls.
• Prohibited Behavior: Any form of harassment, discrimination, or aggressive behavior will not be tolerated and may result in disciplinary action.

2. Safety and Equipment

Required Equipment

• Paddles and Balls: Players must use regulation pickleball paddles and balls.
• Fall of 2024: There will be a storage shed for public access to pickleballs, paddles, cleaning equipment, and 1st-aid supplies.
• Footwear: Non-marking athletic shoes are required on the courts to prevent damage and ensure player safety.
• Clothing: Shirt or tank-top required.

Safety Guidelines

• Warm-Up: Players are encouraged to warm up properly before play to prevent injuries.
• Hydration: Adequate hydration is essential.  We suggest bringing water.  There is a public fountain located at the Fruit St Athletic amenities building.
• First Aid: A first aid kit will be available in the storage shed starting in the Fall of 2024.

Emergency Procedures

• Injury: In case of injury, cease play immediately, emergency services can be contacted by dialing 911.

3. Court Usage

Priority of Play

• May 31st to September 8th 2024 all courts will be 1st come 1st served.
• Rotation System: During busy times, a rotation system will be used. Winning pairs can play a maximum of two consecutive games before yielding the court to waiting players.
• Each court will have a pickleball rack to keep track of the que.  

Court Etiquette

• Noise: Keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing other players.  No amplified music.
• Litter: Dispose of all trash and personal items properly. Leave the court in the condition you found it.
• Sharing Courts: When courts are full, be willing to share and rotate to ensure everyone gets a chance to play.

Maintenance and Reporting Issues

• Cleanliness: Players are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of the courts.
• Damage: Any damage to the courts or equipment must be reported to Parks and Recreation staff immediately.
• Marking/taping the courts is prohibited.
• Suggestions: Players are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions for facility improvements to the Parks and Recreation Department.

Public/Private Use of Courts

• No use of courts for private gain without permit from Parks and Recreation.

4. Tournaments, Events & Instructional Programs

• Coming in the Fall of 2024. More information will be available in August.

5. Fees

• Open play from May 31st to September 8th, 2024 is free for the whole community.

• Instructional programs, court reservations, tournaments, etc will have fees starting in the fall of 2024.  More information will be available in August. Open play times will remain free.

6. Disciplinary Actions

Reporting Violations

• Procedure: Any violations of the rules and regulations should be reported to the Parks and Recreation Department.  Confidentiality: Reports will be handled confidentially, and the identity of the reporter will be protected.

Disciplinary Process

• Investigation: The Parks and Recreation will investigate reported violations and determine appropriate action.
• Consequences: Disciplinary actions may include warnings, suspension of court privileges, or revocation of court use altogether.

Conclusion