Reston Association is weighing whether to let pickleball players officially take over its Autumnwood athletic courts.
The homeowners’ association is inviting community members to provide feedback on a proposal to convert two existing tennis courts at 11950 Walnut Branch Road into pickleball courts.
Autumnwood already has four dedicated, lighted pickleball courts, making it one of just two RA facilities currently offering permanent pickleball amenities, along with two courts on Colts Neck Road.
“Following a survey this summer, the Association knows that over 90% of the court use at Autumnwood is for pickleball play,” RA said in a press release. “Tennis play at the Autumnwood courts has moved to other facilities, and staff is proposing removing the tennis nets at the Autumnwood courts to be responsive to the users of the facility.”
As part of the conversion, the association plans to install new shade structures, signage and a water bottle-filling station. The removal of the tennis nets and other changes would be phased in one at a time “for efficiency,” RA says.
Estimated to cost $75,000, the Autumnwood changes are being considered in conjunction with a planned renovation of the Lake Newport courts, which could be reserved exclusively for tennis. Lines previously added for pickleball play would be eliminated.
RA staff recently gathered input on an initial design of the Lake Newport renovation, closing the window for public feedback last Friday (Aug. 14).
Comments on the proposal to end tennis play at Autumnwood can be submitted through an online feedback form. RA will also have staff on site at the courts to discuss the potential changes this Saturday (Aug. 22) from 10 a.m. to noon and on Wednesday, Aug. 26 from 5:30-7 p.m.
RA’s Board of Directors is expected to discuss whether to approve the facility’s conversion and new criteria for identifying pickleball sites at its September meeting, Patch reported.
If the Autumnwood changes are approved, winter play follow the same hours as in 2025, RA says.
The Autumnwood courts are currently open for pickleball daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. No reservations are needed, but players are expected to follow a paddle stacking system to determine their place in the queue for open courts.
Right now, Reston Association has 50 courts where tennis is allowed, including eight clay courts and 24 that are lighted to support evening play. The association is testing an online reservation system for the North Hills and Newbridge facilities, allowing players to reserve courts two to seven days in advance.
The Autumnwood tennis courts are lighted and available to use from sunrise to 11 p.m.
Screenshot via Google Maps
