UPDATE (APRIL 20, 2023)
The City will soon be working to convert the basketball court at City Park to pickleball courts, as well as a sidewalk extending from the parking area to the new courts. Until the new courts are completed, the pickleball courts located near the Hamilton Greenbelt along Sailmaster will remain open daily from 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. However, please note that there is no official parking area at the courts along Sailmaster. For those utilizing the courts, PLEASE park at the City Hall parking lot, the Justice Complex or the Hamilton Greenbelt parking area. Vehicles should not be parked along Sailmaster where the courts are located. We appreciate your understanding.
UPDATE (MARCH 24, 2023)
At the regular City Council meeting on Monday, March 20, Lakeway Parks & Recreation Director Andra Bennett gave options on the creation of new pickleball courts. Following discussion and public comment, City Council requested staff get risk management advice for a possible option to use golf carts as shuttles from the City Hall parking lot to the Sailmaster courts, create six pickleball courts at Lakeway City Park (which would take several months to complete), and explore an ordinance limiting parking hours near the current Sailmaster court while new courts are constructed.
ORIGINAL POST (MARCH 8, 2023)
City Council initially discussed the issues facing the pickleball courts along Sailmaster at a Special City Council meeting on Monday, March 6, 2023. Pickleball continues to be a growing sport across the country, and right here in Lakeway. The courts located along Sailmaster are currently the only location for Lakeway residents to play the sport, but there are issues with parking in the area. The Parks Master Plan does identify future pickleball courts at Live Oak and Butler Park. However, that is potentially years down the road. The discussion Monday night (March 6, 2023) was brought forth to address more immediate concerns, especially about parking. The Lakeway Parks & Recreation Department director brought alternative options at the meeting to help with the discussion. After City Council heard from many residents who brought forth concerns about parking, hours of operation and also those voicing their support for the courts, City Council unanimously voted (6-0) on March 6, 2023 to amend the Parks Master Plan (and budget) to eliminate the upcoming project for a Sailmaster parking area and utilize those funds to instead re-purpose the basketball court at City Park and convert it to pickleball courts, and also add additional pickleball courts and a new basketball court as well at City Park since there is ample parking and restrooms in that area for players. The Sailmaster pickleball courts will also be re-purposed back to a basketball court. Staff will report to City Council at the next regular March meeting (March 20, 2023) with an update on the progress of the planning for the pickleball and basketball courts at City Park. During the transition process, the Sailmaster pickleball courts will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. If you plan to continue utilizing the courts along Sailmaster, please respect the hours of operation and also area neighbors when it comes to parking. There is ample parking at Lakeway City Hall located at 1102 Lohmans Crossing Road for those to walk about a quarter of a mile down Sailmaster to the current pickleball courts.
