If you love the game of tennis, get set for some new and improved courts to play on soon at La Mesa’s Highwood Park.
When you throw in courts for basketball, the growingly popular pickle-ball and volleyball, safe to say you can get a variety of workouts.
Highwood Park, located next to La Mesa Arts Academy and the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center, is taking on a new look.
Given park conditions needed improvement, the public works department began the initial phase of making things better with drainage repairs. This was done to divert storm water away from the courts. Meantime, the streets division got to work on replacing portions of sidewalk. That sidewalk was not even due to tree roots growing below it.
According to Sue Richardson, community services director for the City of La Mesa, Highwood Park is located on land owned by the La Mesa Spring Valley School District.
Richardson added the courts were not used by the school and were resurfaced as part of the teen center project, but no entity provided ongoing maintenance and the courts remained locked.
“Under a joint use and operation agreement between the district and city, school and park sites throughout La Mesa are identified for community and school use,” Richardson commented. “In 2021, this agreement was amended to include the courts next to Highwood Park under the list of city-maintained facilities. As part of the 2021-22 city budget, $100,000 was allocated for the renovation of the courts with the intent to open them to the public for recreational purposes.”
Before people can fully enjoy the courts, work was necessary.
“There are cracks in the slab and the surrounding chain link fencing is in poor condition,” Richardson pointed out. “After patching and resurfacing the three courts, they will be lined: one court for basketball; one multi-use for tennis, volleyball and pickle-ball, and the third with two new permanent pickle-ball courts. In addition to seeking locations to add pickle-ball, the upcoming temporary closure of Collier Park for renovation this summer will reduce the number of courts available for about a year. This project at Highwood Park will provide four courts and once Collier re-opens, will increase the number from eight to 12 courts. (There were four pickle ball courts lined on the youth tennis courts at La Mesita Park in 2021).”
Richardson noted that for residents and visitors, the Highwood Park courts will be open during park hours (6 a.m. to 10 p.m.) however, they are not lighted. The courts may also be reserved during certain periods for use by the teen center, school or city recreation programs. There can also be designated times on the multi-use courts for specific sports, such as tennis to ensure different sports have access.
– Reach editor Dave Thomas: [email protected].
