FIX OUR COURTS!!

Madame Chair and Councilmembers,

I am writing as a Richland County taxpayer, a tennis player, and a community advocate deeply concerned about the state of our public parks and tennis facilities. Earlier this year, Richland County tennis players addressed you directly, stating:

“Our tennis courts are in crisis… These are signs of long‑term neglect.” “What we need — urgently — is action from this county. Not another year of delays.”

Those words were spoken in May, and today the situation is even more urgent.

Because the Richland County Council has not passed the budget presented by the Richland County Recreation Commission, there is no additional funding available for the parks that thousands of residents rely on every day. We have now been told—again—that we must go to the Recreation Commission. Yet the Commission has told us to go to County Council. This circular deflection has left taxpayers without answers, without accountability, and without functioning facilities.

Meanwhile, parks across Richland County continue to deteriorate:

Parklane courts have not been touched since resurfacing five years ago, and the lights project has been stalled since January 2025 only because RCRC has not provided the additional information USTA requested.

North Springs Park courts are locked and the nets are down.

Caughman Road and St. Andrews Park courts are unplayable.

Trenholm Park continues to deteriorate with no plan in sight.

These are not minor maintenance issues. They are symptoms of long‑term underinvestment and a lack of strategic planning.

And the consequences are real: if parks are forced to shut their doors due to lack of funding, Richland County residents—taxpayers—will once again be forced to leave the county to find playable courts and safe recreational spaces. That is unacceptable.

Outside Funding Is Available — But the County Must Act.

USTA National, USTA Southern, USTA South Carolina, and the Columbia Tennis Association are prepared to invest in Richland County. Tennis is one of the fastest‑growing sports in South Carolina, and USTA is committing millions of dollars nationwide to help communities upgrade their courts.

But these funds cannot be accessed without a county commitment. Without matching dollars, without a plan, without a timeline, nothing moves.

Why Parks Matter — For Everyone

Well‑maintained parks are not luxuries. They are essential public infrastructure with measurable benefits:

Property Values: Numerous studies show that homes near well‑maintained parks experience higher property values—often increasing by 5–20% depending on proximity and park quality. Neglected parks, conversely, depress surrounding home values and discourage investment.

Public Health: Parks and recreation facilities reduce healthcare costs by promoting physical activity, lowering rates of obesity, heart disease, and stress. Tennis, in particular, is proven to improve cardiovascular health, mental resilience, and lifelong fitness for adults and children.

Economic Impact: Functional tennis facilities allow Richland County to host local, state, and Southern Section tournaments—bringing hotel nights, restaurant traffic, and tourism dollars directly into our community.

Community Safety & Quality of Life: Parks provide safe spaces for youth, families, and seniors. Well‑maintained public spaces reduce crime, strengthen neighborhoods, and increase civic engagement.

What We Need From County Council

We are not asking for every court to be repaired at once. We are asking for:

A clear, funded plan for repairing and maintaining tennis courts and parks.

A timeline for when these repairs will begin.

A commitment from Richland County Council to allocate the necessary funding in the budget.

Accountability so residents are no longer bounced between the Recreation Commission and County Council with no answers.

Right now, Richland County taxpayers are not being served. We have the players. We have the demand. We have outside funding waiting. What we lack is action from our county government.

We urge you—respectfully but firmly—to pass a budget that includes the funding required to maintain and restore Richland County’s parks and tennis facilities. The cost of inaction is far greater than the cost of repair.

Our community deserves better. Our taxpayers deserve better. And our parks deserve better.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter.

Sincerely, [Your Name]

Richland County Taxpayer and Tennis Advocate

Richland County Council Members (South Carolina)

Jason Branham (District 1) — branham.jason@richlandcountysc.gov

Derrek Pugh (District 2, Vice Chair) — pugh.derrek@richlandcountysc.gov

Tyra Little (District 3) — little.tyra@richlandcountysc.gov

Paul Livingston (District 4) — livingston.paul@richlandcountysc.gov

Allison Terracio (District 5) — terracio.allison@richlandcountysc.gov

Don Weaver (District 6) — weaver.don@richlandcountysc.gov

Gretchen D. Cooper (District 7) — cooper.gretchen@richlandcountysc.gov

Tish Dozier Alleyne (District 8) — alleyne.tish@richlandcountysc.gov

Jesica Mackey (District 9, Chair) — mackey.jesica@richlandcountysc.gov

Cheryl English (District 10) — english.cheryl@richlandcountysc.gov

Chakisse Newton (District 11) — newton.chakisse@richlandcountysc.gov