Parks & Recreation

We have various programs and education opportunities to help your park and recreation department develop and optimize tennis programs.

Parks & Recreation

We have various programs and education opportunities to help your park and recreation department develop and optimize tennis programs.

PUBLIC PARK LEADERS AND THE USTA:

HOW CAN WE HELP EACH OTHER?

The sport of tennis is an important part of improving communities, schools, the health of individuals and the quality of life for all. Tennis can make a difference in people’s lives. 

70% Percent of all U.S. participants play their tennis inexpensively on public park, school, and community center tennis courts*

Tennis has been identified as a safe social distancing sport and in 2020, 6.78 million players either tried tennis for the first time or came back to tennis.

Tennis is a sport that can be learned and played for a lifetime, appealing across all age demographics.

 


WHO WE ARE

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis and the leader in promoting and developing in the sport's growth on every level in the United States, from local communities to the crown jewel of the professional game, the US Open.



WHY PARKS?

We recognize that public parks are the foundation for the growth of tennis in this country and a crucial part of our sport’s long term health vitality.

 

BENEFITS OF TENNIS

*According to the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) 2021 Participation Report.

Physical Health 

Tennis is one of the only sports that a person can play for life. Tennis fights the inactivity pandemic. Tennis gets people moving!

Mental Health 

Tennis creates a network of friends who socialize beyond the court. This is vital today, as technology often isolates people.


Social Health 

From alertness to tactical thinking, tennis helps keep the brain agile and young, and helps to relieve tension.

Inclusivity 

Tennis is a game that can be adapted for any mental, physical or emotional disability. Advocating for tennis in your community can help increase participation in the sport from underserved populations.

USTA Statement of Guidance

Download our public facilities approach to tennis and pickleball.

Parks & Recreation: The Foundation for Tennis Growth & Vitality

 

The USTA has prioritized collaborating and strengthening relationships with local parks and recreation departments nationwide to help attract, retain, and engage with diverse members of the local community in order to further support the USTA's mission of promoting and developing the growth of tennis across America and beyond.

Park Agency Tennis Assessment

The Park Agency Tennis Assessment is a complimentary USTA consultation service that aims to produce actionable deliverables to park agencies. Through discussions with the city director of facilities, city director of tennis, local partners, USTA Section/District, city/park programming director and other entities, the park agency will receive personalized recommendations and action items that will improve the delivery of tennis within the community.


Tennis Advocacy

Advocacy for tennis involves taking our knowledge and passion for tennis and connecting it to the needs of communities, schools, colleges and local governments. Advocacy is the ability to demonstrate to decision-makers how tennis programs can benefit the community. The USTA has developed a comprehensive suite of community advocacy tools that include the Community Advocacy Handbook.

Resources for your Park

Educational Opportunities 

Working with partners from around the industry allows us to provide park employees with a number of opportunities to earn continuing education unit credits for NRPA, US Professional Tennis Association (USPTA), and Professional Tennis Registry (PTR.) To view available sessions, please visit the pages below.


Collaborators