Udall Pickleball Expansion Project
Udall Park has the busiest public pickleball courts in Tucson — twelve of them, free to play, with three more to build. In 2026 the City proposed charging for open play and handing the courts to a private management company. TAP offered an alternative and signed a five-year agreement instead: the courts stay free, and TAP takes responsibility for maintaining them — and for funding at least three new ones. Renewal in 2031 depends on it.
TAP has already put roughly $100,000 into a facility it does not own and earns nothing from, including $45,000 to resurface all twelve courts in 2026. Dues and tournament income will not cover new courts. This is where the community comes in.
Tucson Area Pickleball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Contributions are fully tax-deductible.
What the agreement does
Under the Memorandum of Understanding with the City of Tucson, effective August 1, 2026 through July 31, 2031:
- The City maintains the Udall Park pickleball courts as a non-fee public amenity for the term of the agreement and any renewals.
TAP serves as the designated community steward, supporting programming, activation, and user engagement at the facility.
TAP takes responsibility for court surface maintenance and resurfacing, along with nets, paddle racks, and player furnishings.
TAP commits to a capital campaign to fund and build at least three additional courts at Udall Park within the five-year term.
Renewal for a further five years depends on TAP meeting that commitment and maintaining the courts to the City’s standards.
What TAP has already done
TAP has invested approximately $100,000 in a facility it does not own and from which it receives no proprietary benefit:
- Resurfacing of all twelve courts, completed in 2026, at a cost of more than $45,000
- A professionally built shade structure
- Eight concrete benches for players and spectators
- A water bottle filling station
- Twelve replacement nets, plus paddle racks, windscreens, and court supplies
All of it funded by membership dues, tournament receipts, and donations from players.
What comes next
New courts are the largest undertaking in TAP’s history, and dues and tournament income will not cover them. The capital campaign is raising funds for construction, with continued court maintenance, quarterly professional cleaning, and windscreens to reduce dust from the adjacent dog park.
Any amount goes directly to the courts.
Put your business name at the courts and support public pickleball.
Membership is $25 a year and funds the day-to-day work of keeping the courts open.
Tucson Area Pickleball is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and contributions are fully tax-deductible as charitable donations.
