CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Mecklenburg County plans to reestablish a full-court basketball court within Sheffield Park in east Charlotte, according to an update Wednesday by Park and Recreation.
The change comes after the county converted an existing full-court basketball court into three pickleball courts. County leaders said that change was to maximize the amenities available to residents at Sheffield Park.
Instead, the change prompted an uproar from neighbors, with some back in August telling WCNC Charlotte the decision has displaced people and doesn't cater to the neighborhood. Carolyn Millen, the president of the Sheffield Park Association, made the decision to install the pickleball courts. Her goal was to bring new life into the park while also deterring problems that rose to the surface. Examples of these, highlighted by neighbors, were rowdy behavior and drug abuse.
“Can I say is it going to deter the time of crime, no," Millen said in August. "But I can say the more activity you have, the more positive environment you have.”
Some neighbors said the decision was discriminatory. County Commissioner Mark Jerrell stepped into the conversation in August saying he received emails about the decision that said the decision was rooted in racism. People asked if the change is trying to keep certain kinds of groups out of the neighborhood.
Mecklenburg County held a public meeting in October as well as received suggestions from an online survey. County staff said there was support from the community to reestablish the full-court basketball court while retailing the pickleball courts.
Additionally, staff received multiple requests for additional seating, shade and path improvements within the park. That includes the planting of additional trees in conjunction with TreesCharlotte with the goal of establishing a more substantial tree canopy.
County staff say additional requests from neighbors for new amenities including splash pads, lighting and restrooms will not be added as they are not typically found in neighborhood parks.
Initial improvements are expected to begin in the next 30 days with a completion expected by early spring 2024.
County staff said in the future, they will work to hear from neighbors before changes are made at existing parks.
Matt Walsh contacted county leaders days after the initial change was made. He said he enjoyed the pickleball courts but had a problem with the process.
“We love pickleball courts, but what we didn’t love was seeming them take something away from the community that people were using every single day," Walsh said.
He said with this compromise, he hopes this situation becomes an example for other county projects in the future.
“Hopefully this will cause them to pause before they add amenities and take some away," Walsh said.
Contact Austin Walker at awalker@wcnc.com and follow him on Facebook, X and Instagram.