New Pickleball Courts Part Of $10 Million Melrose Park Overhaul

MELROSE, MA — The city is moving forward with plans to transform Ell Pond Park through a proposed $10.3 million improvement project that would add dedicated pickleball courts and a wide range of recreational upgrades to one of Melrose's largest public parks.

The Ell Pond Park Improvements Project is the top-ranked priority in Melrose's FY2027 to 2031 Capital Improvement Program. Earlier this year, the City Council approved a $710,000 free cash appropriation to fund final design and permitting, allowing the project to move into its next phase as officials prepare for future construction.

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The proposed improvements would overhaul much of the 19.1-acre park. Plans include new dedicated pickleball courts, rehabilitation of the Crystal Street tennis courts, improvements to the Richard D. Lyons tennis courts, upgrades to the East Knoll, West Knoll, and Cabbage Patch athletic fields, a roughly three-quarter-mile multi-use path around the park, improved interior walking connections, new fitness areas, wetland restoration, a pedestrian bridge, improvements to the Ell Pond boat launch, an outdoor classroom, accessible access to Memorial Knoll, repaving of the Memorial Knoll parking lot, improved pond overlooks, and continued maintenance of the dog park.

While the city has not yet released a final site plan showing the exact number or layout of the pickleball courts, officials have confirmed they are included in the conceptual design. The courts would provide Melrose with a permanent location for the sport after pickleball was discontinued at Foss Park.

The project stems from the city's Ell Pond Park Feasibility Study, which began in 2020 and included public meetings and community input before consultants developed a conceptual redesign. An Ell Pond Park Working Group made up of representatives from the Department of Public Works, Parks Department, Planning Department, Conservation Commission and Parks Commission has continued refining the proposal.

The next phase will bring the project to approximately 90 percent design, complete permitting, develop a construction phasing plan, and position Melrose to pursue state and federal grants to help pay for the work. Officials have said outside funding opportunities are expected to focus on portions of the project related to stormwater management, wetlands restoration and climate resilience.

The planned pickleball courts would also mark the sport's return to Melrose following the closure of the Foss Park courts. The city converted the basketball courts at Foss Park into pickleball courts in 2022, but nearby residents later raised concerns about noise, traffic, and parking. After considering several mitigation measures, the Parks Commission voted to discontinue pickleball there and seek a more suitable long-term location. Ell Pond Park ultimately emerged as the preferred site because of its larger athletic complex and existing recreational amenities.

A construction timeline or released final design renderings for the project have yet to be finalized. Once the design and permitting work is completed, officials expect the project will be positioned to seek additional grant funding before construction begins.

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