Lisa Andersen’s letter provided great examples of the divisive rhetoric that needs to stop. Contrary to her beliefs, I am not working as a secret agent for First State Pickleball Club. I represent myself and the Lewes Lob-sters.
We are a group of town residents and local, similarly skilled pickleball players who get together three times a week for two hours - court availability and weather permitting. We play by the rules and share well with others. Some of us have been a part of the Lewes pickleball community for over a decade. The town has always welcomed our play.
Lewes Parks and Recreation invited me, along with other pickleball and tennis stakeholders, to take part in the redesign process. Some tennis folks opted out. The resultant group’s plan got shot down at the workshop and was later blown up by the very commissioners who were responsible for creating it. The last people who should be blamed for this debacle are the pickleball stakeholders; we worked with the design team in good faith.
Our Lewes Parks and Recreation chairperson had admirable intentions. She attempted to assemble a group that would clearly present and discuss the options...and come up with a plan that works for all involved. Obviously, that effort was unsuccessful; it pitted tennis players against pickleball players, unnecessarily.
Lisa Andersen does not know me, yet she insinuated that I am dishonest. It’s tempting to “dis” her back. Instead, I will agree with her on one thing: to go forward with the status quo - complete now with the ill will she so aptly displayed - is to squander an opportunity to improve.
Before the town commits to the exact layout, Lewes Parks and Recreation needs to get key stakeholders back to the drawing board. Let’s talk about the rules, and review the pros and cons of large-group (six to eight per court) inclusive pickleball play vs. small groups of two to four players, like on tennis courts. We all need to make an effort to understand the sports’ cultural differences and identify our shared values and goals.
We can peacefully coexist in Canalfront Park.
Ann Reed
Lewes
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