Memorial Park Tennis Courts Completed

          The Mendon Parks Department is thrilled to announce the completion of the Tennis Courts at Memorial Park.  The newly renovated courts are now open to the public. 

          The Tennis courts were one of the few remaining facilities at Memorial Park in need of repair.  Built in 1987 they had deteriorated into poor condition.  In 2011 the Parks Department began exploring options to repair the courts but was unable to secure funding.  In 2015 the Town applied for and was awarded a PARC (Parkland Acquisitions and Renovations for Communities) grant from the State in the amount of $50,000.  In addition, the Parks Department applied for $38,350 in Community Preservation Funds to cover the remaining costs.  The total project cost $88,350 and took 9 months to complete. 

           The newly renovated courts feature an overlayment system, ProBounce, to restore an even playing surface.  This surface uses a synthetic material similar to artificial turf along with special infill material and an acrylic top coat.  All existing cracks in the court surfaces were patched and the new membrane surface will bridge any future cracking.  The new surface is also softer than traditional concrete or asphalt surfaces resulting in fewer stress injuries and less player fatigue.  New nets were installed.  The fence was repaired including new high strength mesh and added supports to improve durability. 

          The courts are open to the public 7 days a week, 6am-10pm with lights.  The courts are open to the general public for recreational use.  Any organized group or leagues wishing to use the courts must request a facility use permit from the Parks Dept. (www.mendonma.gov/parks-use)  The Parks Department is also exploring the possibility of offering tennis lessons and any interested instructors should contact the Recreation Director (parkcomm@mendonma.gov)

          The Parks Department would like to thank the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, the Mendon Community Preservation Committee, and the residents of Mendon for their support.  This project was made possible with Community Preservation funding.  The Department would also like to thank former Parks Commissioner Sue Barnett for beginning this project in 2011. 

          More Photos: https://www.facebook.com/MendonParks/photos/?tab=album&album_id=758397364184026