Hackney tennis courts get new gate access systems
New gate access systems are being activated at six park tennis facilities in Hackney following a £65,500 investment as part of the LTA’s Park Tennis Project.
Clissold Park, Hackney Downs, Joe White Gardens, Millfields Park, Spring Hill Recreation Ground and Springfield Park have all benefited from the investment, with courts bookable on the LTA Play Tennis platform. The courts at Springfield Park will be repainted in the Spring, with the gate access system activated following further engagement with the playing community.
Park tennis courts in Hackney have been impacted by issues of vandalism and misuse in recent years, and it is hoped that the new gate access system will create a safer and more welcoming environment for players.
Through the Park Tennis Project, the LTA is delivering a £30 million investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation to transform thousands of tennis courts across Britain, and making the journey to court easier for anyone who wants to play through gate access systems and online bookings.
The existing free-to-use, first-come-first-served basis, tennis court in Hackney Downs will remain as it is currently and two of the five courts at Springfield Park will also be operated on this basis when the gates become activated.
The investment reaffirms Hackney Council and Hackney Tennis’s commitment to promoting the sport of tennis but also signifies their focus on the well-being of the local community. With safer and more inviting tennis courts, residents can look forward to enjoying the game they love, free from concerns about safety, cleanliness, or unauthorised usage.
Local charity Hackney Tennis will continue to operate the courts and community coaching programmes. Surpluses generated from these activities will be reinvested into the maintenance of the courts and tennis provision in Hackney, ensuring ongoing support for tennis development and accessibility within the community.
Hackney Tennis will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites. This will include weekly organised free park tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition.
The funded gates will assist with the management of the courts and help provide a safer playing environment for all users.
We know that thousands of local people use our great tennis facilities in parks. The new gates will help make some of them more secure and ensure they are kept in good condition. We are also retaining several first-come-first-served courts, with one at Hackney Downs and two at Springfield Park.
We are delighted to have worked with Hackney Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for anyone to pick up a racket and get active. This investment is part of the UK Government and LTA’s Parks Tennis Project, and will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come.
We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.
The Government and the LTA are working together to deliver thousands of refurbished courts across Great Britain, supported by £30 million of investment including in Hackney.
These improved tennis facilities in Hackney will provide the local community with fun opportunities to get active and potentially become the next Andy Murray or Emma Raducanu.
All courts and sessions at all impacted sites will be available to book online via the LTA Play Tennis website