Manning Park Sports Courts Update

Over Thanksgiving, I noted that Manning Park’s new pickleball and tennis courts, begun earlier this year and slated to be completed November 30, are still under construction. On Monday, December 1, I contacted Supervisor Roy Lee for a timeline update and data points on what is delaying the progress. I also went to inspect it personally and take updated photos for our readers. 

Supervisor Lee, “Manning Park is an important part of the Montecito community, and I know lots of people are eager to get back on the tennis and pickleball courts, especially with growing interest in pickleball. The final touches are now underway, and we expect the courts to be completed and open by January 2026, if weather permits. I appreciate the community’s patience, and I think this will be a great New Year’s gift for all the pickleball players in Montecito.” 

Indeed, the recent week of rain delayed the court progress, adding layers of mud. Lee’s office also informed that while the court was being dug and laid out, the construction crew came across old construction site materials (think old pipes, etc.), and had to properly remove all prior construction debris before building a new court. As of today, the concrete had been poured and is now being cured. Once that is done, the court painting, nets, and other necessary additions will be added to completion. 

Passersby via San Ysidro Road will notice high metal fencing surrounding the sport court area, lots of dirt and debris, no trespassing signage, and the usual construction trucks. Oddly enough, on Monday when I was there, a worker was mowing whatever is left for “grass” in the front area, from the court fence to the San Ysidro Road sidewalk area. 

The beloved Hathaway Tree has its own surrounding green fence wrapped neatly and tightly around it, the fencing separate from the sport court’s fencing. That being said, the tree’s fence would need to be removed in order for the tree to be decorated for the holidays, per Montecito tradition. Monday, I noted that someone had deliberately dropped down a section of the Hathaway Tree’s fencing while leaving it still attached. I contacted Montecito Association Executive Director Houghton Hyatt, who said she was not aware of the now open section of the Hathaway Tree fencing. She added that their annual holiday decorating of the Hathaway Tree – slated for the late afternoon of December 3 with Montecito Fire Department’s ladders and team – is now on hold. Mindy Denson, the MA chair of events is, as I write this, in contact with the SBC Parks Department about decorating the Hathaway Tree, since the oversized ornaments and trim are stored with the SBC Parks Department. Hyatt assured she would keep me in the loop for our readers. Stay tuned, and list new pickleball gear for your holiday gifting.