Town Parks director says the impact is ‘minimal’

By Nicole Fuentes

“Why would the Town of Brookhaven close its most popular Centereach pickleball courts at times when they are most utilized by the general public?” This is a question Medford resident Jon Reinmuth raised on behalf of his fellow pickleballers.

“The short answer appears to be: to generate additional revenue, revenue above and beyond what has been collected in taxes and non-resident fees, and to punish those in the general public who have voiced concerns or complains about being denied access to them,” he said. “The Town of Brookhaven is a wonderful place to live and work, but sometimes those in leadership roles make bad decisions and need to be challenged.”

Reinmuth has been playing pickleball for 25 years, typically utilizing the courts in Centereach.

“I have been referring to them as the town’s main courts because they can accommodate more than twice as many participants as any of the other facilities the town owns and operates, including the new ones in Medford, Moriches, and Miller Place,” he said. “For this reason, they offer the best opportunities for people with similar skill levels to meet one another. Generally speaking, people with similar skill levels have the most fun.”

According to town parks commissioner Ed Morris, the town hosts a pickleball clinic from 9 to 10 a.m. at the Centereach courts for people who want to learn the game at a cost of $15 to join; about 20 people usually show, with two instructors.

“Depending on how many people show, we plan games on five courts, which is why we closed an hour on only one day a week,” he said.

Additionally, the town hosts a youth clinic at the courts for their Summer Fun Camp and on Wednesday nights, he added. They also host social nights, where the town sets up games and matches and anyone can come and play.

Both the clinics and the social nights are for five weeks in the summer. The courts, he added, are open from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and fully lit.

“We run town programs; we take priority at our complexes,” Morris added. “The parks department doesn’t look to create money; it looks to break even.”

Acknowledging Morris’s responsibilities, Reinmuth said he understands renting the facilities is a good way to generate additional revenue to help grow the infrastructure of the parks. However, he said, the town is renting the town’s most popular pickleball courts at times when they’re utilized the most by the general public.

Another concern, he said, is the apparent ambiguity associated with some of the posted signs on the fence around the main courts.

“It threatened to push the general public off as many as seven of the main eight courts five days a week, during prime play time, to accommodate town programs,” Reinmuth said.

Signs posted included: The TOB Pickleball program may be using some of the courts if needed for lessons/programs on Monday from 9 to 12:30; Tuesday from 9 to 11; Thursday from 5 to 7; Friday from 10:15 to 12:45; and Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 12:45.

Another sign states that all courts will be closed for the town program on Tuesdays from 8 to 11 a.m.; Wednesdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. and will re-open for general play after the programs until further notice.

One more sign read the courts would be closed for the Summer Fun Camp on Thursdays 9 to 10:30 a.m. only on July 11, 18, 25 and Aug. 1, 8 and 15. The court would reopen at 10:30 a.m. for open play.

Reinmuth said he has since written to Morris to express his concerns. Responding the next day, Morris explained that the closure of the main courts was only for one day a week and that there were other facilities available.

“I believe I speak for many of my fellow pickleball players, and the Pickleball Ambassador, when I say that the town’s primary pickleball courts should be reopened to the general public during prime playing times,” Reinmuth said. “Officials should seriously consider moving town programs to non-prime-time hours and/or more appropriate courts.”

Instead, he said, if about three days a week, even during prime playing times, one or two of the courts were used for the programs, that would leave six for public use.

“The appearance of unfairness would fade away. Everyone’s needs would be met,” he added. “The pickleball experience in the Town of Brookhaven would become more enjoyable for all participants, employees, and officials.”

TOWN PICKLEBALL COURTS

The Town of Brookhaven Department of Parks, Recreation and Sports, and Cultural Resources recently added 11 new pickleball courts, including four at the Moriches Athletic Complex. The cost for the project, according to the town, was $225,000 as part of the Parks Capital Budget.

In addition to the new courts at the Moriches Athletic Complex, there are new courts located at Sylvan Avenue in Miller Place (three) and the Medford Athletic Complex (four).

The new courts now add to the town’s lineup of 11 courts at the Centereach pool, as well as the courts at the Mastic Athletic Complex, which have plans to be refaced. The town also has plans to add new pickleball courts at Martha Avenue Park, in Bellport. n