Announced Tuesday afternoon, Friends of Woods Tennis — the organization that proposed to expand the tennis facilities of Woods Park — has elected to withdraw the proposal and pursue alternative locations.
Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross, and FOWT Board President Todd Peterson, provided the update on the proposals status following public protests from park supporters and nearby residents back in February, and a public engagement process seeking input from the community on the proposal.
Tennis expansion protestors, dubbed “Friends of Woods Park.” (Tom Stanton, KLIN News)
“This decision wasn’t made lightly,” said Peterson. “We recognize the need for tennis programming and facilities to expand to meet Lincoln’s growing demand. However, after careful consideration, we’ve come to the conclusion that our mission of taking the game to the community cannot be fully realized here at Woods Park.”
Peterson continued, “It has become clear that moving our facilities in programming outside of Woods park is the best path forward.”
The FOWT, a nonprofit organization that has operated the tennis facility in Woods Park since 2008, submitted a proposal in June 2023 to expand the tennis complex. FOWT will begin evaluating alternative sites for a new facility site, to add capacity for their programming. This analysis will include both public and private land.
Tennis operations will continue at Woods Park during the search for a new location.
“Looking ahead, we are excited about a blank canvas for a new, state-of-the-art tennis center that will better accommodate the needs of our community and the Missouri Valley region,” said Peterson
“Friends of Woods Tennis is a valued community partner and trusted non-profit. The recreational opportunities they offer, in partnership with the City, enable us to provide tennis to the community,” said Stuckey-Ross. “We remain open to and supportive of public-private partnerships that activate our places and our residents and are grateful to the community advocates who utilize and care for our spaces.”
For more information about Woods Park, visit lincoln.ne.gov/WoodsPark. For more information about Woods Tennis, visit woodstennis.com.