Bucks County Makes Public Park Tennis Courts "Kid Compatible"

Through grants from the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) and the Bucks County Tennis Association, Bucks County now boasts 75 kid-compatible tennis courts.

As the US Open swings into action in New York, US Open Tennis Championships, tennis in Bucks County has benefited from grants from the USTA national and regional organizations to make tennis public park facilities “kid compatible” and perhaps produce the next American champions! Just as other sports have adapted playing fields and equipment to younger athletes, tennis has made courts, racquets, and balls more kid-friendly.  Last year, the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) changed the rules of tennis to require all national and international competition as well as training for kids aged 10-and-under to be played on smaller-sized courts with age-appropriate racquets and balls And Bucks County, which leads the nation in public tennis facility upgrades, is more than ready to accommodate the new rule changes.  The county boasts 75 kid-compatible courts—the highest concentration of kid-compatible courts in the United States—which have blended lines on traditional 78-foot courts, dividing them into 36- or 60-foot courts for use by youths. The blended lines do not interfere with 78-foot play, yet allow young people to go out and enjoy tennis on age-appropriate courts.

The 18-month public-park upgrade initiative was lead by the Bucks County Tennis Association (BCTA)—a nonprofit community organization that partners with recreation agencies throughout the county to offer quality, affordable tennis programs for youth and adults with a focus on fun and fitness.  Through the BCTA’s administrative and financial support—including acquiring grants from the USTA and the USTA Middle States regional office—15 public facilities throughout the country were upgraded, providing a combined total of 75 kid-compatible courts.  And, all upgrades were implemented at no cost to the municipalities!  The following communities took advantage of the free facility upgrade by adding 36-foot courts (for age 8 and under) and/or 60-foot courts (for ages 10 and under):

Bensalem Township - (Mill Creek Park, Community Park, Bridgewater Park, and Gilbert Drive Park Camp Curiosity(Doylestown Township

Core Creek Park (Langhorne—owned and operated by Bucks County Park and Recreation)

FrostyHollow Tennis Center (Levittown—owned and operated by Bucks County Park and Recreation)

Doylestown Borough(William Neis Park) HilltownTownship (Civic Park)

Quakertown Borough(Memorial Park— includes the only stand-alone permanent 36-foot court in the county) 

WarminsterTownship(Log College Park)

WarringtonTownship(Twin Oaks Day Camp Tennis Courts, Mary Barness Tennis & Swim Club, Palomino Park, and King Park.  Barness and Palomino courts also received a repair grant from the USTA as well)

“Bucks County has always boasted quality recreational facilities, so it is no surprise the so many municipalities had the vision to implement these tennis court upgrades,” said Barbara Long, BCTA President.  “We know that municipal budgets have been stretched the last few years, so we were delighted to be able to advocate on behalf of the county and install these upgrades at no cost to our partner agencies.  And while 75 is a milestone number, additional municipalities are contacting us about their upgrade options, so we expect that number to continue to grow.  And these courts are not just for kids.  Adults can also enjoy the modified court sizes and equipment much like they do in platform tennis and pickleball.” 

The BCTA’s 2013 outdoor tennis programs swung into action in April and will continue through mid-October.  The BCTA offers affordable, quality tennis programs at public parks throughout Bucks County—fun for family and friends of all ages and abilities.  This year’s programs include BCTA’s signature five-week-long Learn, Practice & Play for ages 4 through 94-plus, Jr. Team Tennis for ages 7 through 17, High School and Middle School training programs, summer youth camps, and adult leagues.  For more information about BCTA outdoor and indoor programs, log onto "http://www.buckscountytennis.usta.com/"

The Bucks County Tennis Association, Inc (BCTA) is a nonprofit, volunteer-based community association dedicated to providing affordable, quality tennis programs on public tennis courts throughout Bucks County.  BCTA is a registered member of the United States Tennis Association and the 2011 winner of the national Racquet Sports Industrymagazine and the USTA Middle States section community tennis association of the year awards