East Boulder Community Park - Racket Courts

This is an update of the annexation application progress for 5399 Kewanee Drive, 5697 South Boulder Road, and portions of the related 55th Steet Right of Way. The property is adjacent to the East Boulder Community Park, where the new tennis courts are proposed. This annexation process does not include any court development proposal. It is only for consideration of annexation and initial zoning.

Planning Board Public Hearing on Nov. 18, 2025
The Planning Board unanimously approved 2 motions.
1. Motion to approve the proposed Boulder Valley Comprehensive Plan land use map change for the 19-acre portion of the property west of 55th Street known as 5399 Kewanee Dr. and 5697 South Boulder Rd. from Low Density Residential (LR) to Park, Urban and Other (PK-U/O), incorporating this staff memorandum as findings of fact, pertaining to case number LUR2025-00008.
2. Motion to recommend to City Council approval of the proposed annexation of the property located at 5399 Kewanee Dr. and 5697 South Boulder Rd., including 55th Street right-of-way, with an initial zoning of Public (P) on 23.6 acres and an initial zoning of Residential – Low 2 (RL-2) on a 0.44-acre portion of right-of-way, under case number LUR2025-00003, incorporating the staff memorandum as findings of fact.

City Council Consent Item on Jan. 8, 2026
City Council unanimously approved the consent agenda which included 2 motions related to the property.
1. Motion to adopt Resolution 1369 finding the annexation petition is substantially in compliance with Section 31-12-107(1), C.R.S. and setting a hearing to determine compliance with other state statutory annexation requirements and setting forth related details. AND
2. Motion to introduce and order published by title only Ordinance 8734 annexing to the City of Boulder approximately 24.04 acres of land generally located at 5399 Kewanee Drive and 5697 South Boulder Road and including portions of 55th Street right-of-way with an initial zoning classification of Public (P) and, for a portion of right-of-way, an initial zoning of Residential – Low 2 (RL-2) as described in Chapter-9-5, “Modular Zone System,” B.R.C. 1981; amending the Zoning District Map forming a part of said Chapter to include the property

Next Steps
City Council Public Hearing Feb. 19, 2026
There is a City Council meeting on Feb 19. The community has an opportunity to participate in this hearing on annexation and initial zoning of the property. This meeting does not include the court development proposal. It is only for consideration of annexation and initial zoning.

Staff facilitated and open house on October 8, featuring the revised draft concept plans for 8 new outdoor tennis courts and the conversion of 3 existing courts to 6 dedicated pickleball courts. Approximately 50 community members attended the open house and provided their feedback. The boards will be available for viewing in the lobby of the East Boulder Community Center through October 24. Community members, community organizations and staff feedback will be analyzed for the final concept plan to be completed in November. Construction is anticipated to begin in late summer 2026.

Once the concept plan is completed, staff will work with PLAY Boulder Foundation on a fundraising campaign. While city funding for the project is limited and will focus on core infrastructure, the community will have the opportunity to support additional amenities such as benches or a practice wall.

An application for the annexation of the city-owned property south of East Boulder Community Park, formerly known as Hogan Pancost, is underway. Once the application is reviewed and approved, there will be a presentation to the Planning Board and 2 City Council meetings.

Planning Board: Public Hearing on November 18, 2025

City Council: Consent Item on January 8, 2025

City Council: Public Hearing on February 19, 2025

In 2022, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Planning Board and City Council unanimously supported the Parks and Recreation Department Plan. This plan was developed with significant community input and analysis of the current system. Through that broad-based planning, the growth of racket sports amidst a decline in supply of courts in the community pointed the city to further evaluate this topic through a Court System Plan.

The Court System Plan, completed in 2024, identified the need for new outdoor tennis and pickleball courts to meet community needs. The plan also identified only 5 urban park locations where courts could be developed. East Boulder Community Park was 1 of the 5 future sites appropriate for tennis and pickleball courts based on criteria such as acres of park land, topography, noise and geographical distribution.

Along with a priority to provide access and service to tennis and pickleball courts as part of the commitment to community health and wellness outlined as a key theme in the 2022 Parks and Recreation Department Plan, this project required additional site analysis to provide critical information about the natural resources of the property. The 22-acre city-owned property adjacent to East Boulder Community Park offers an opportunity to balance multiple needs such as creating improved habitat with recreation activities that support the health and wellness of the community. A local professional developed an ecological report with a focus on floodplain, wetlands, wildlife, vegetation, and threatened and endangered species.

The 2024 Court System Plan was developed to understand better the community needs, programming improvements and feasible locations for courts.

The Court System Plan explained the community's need for racket sport courts and supported the approval of funding for courts at East Boulder Community Park. With the system-wide evaluation and recommendations of the Court System Plan and funding identified in the 2024-2025 Capital Improvement Program.

There is money in the 2025 CIP budget for this project and we anticipate fundraising with the PLAY Boulder Foundation, BPR’s non-profit philanthropic partner.

Engagement Window #1: Share a Foundation of Information and Inquiry

September 2024 – January 2025

The intent of the first engagement window is to inform the community about the project’s goals and timelines and the work to annex and develop 19 acres of the acquired property. Communication will be sent out via the project web page and the e-newsletter. Community members can sign up for the e-newsletter, which will communicate when the web page is updated and engagement opportunities are planned throughout the project. If you have signed up for Court System Plan updates, you will automatically receive East Boulder Community Park – Courts updates. Please share this page with community members who want to be added to the email list.

Engagement Window #2: Identify Options and Evaluate Issues

January – April 2025

The second engagement window will provide the community with the background information and summaries of the studies on the city-owned property adjacent to East Boulder Community Park. This included existing conditions, opportunities and constraints, and the site program. This engagement window included a community meeting to provide an opportunity to share information and answer questions.

Engagement Window #3: Communicate Decision and Rationale

August – November 2025

The third engagement window will present the final concept plan with information on community engagement, policy direction, and research outcomes. This will include a public meeting in October to share the concept plan draft, provide an opportunity for discussion about how decisions were made, and identify any missed opportunities.

Post Occupancy Review: Reflect and Evaluate

Early 2027

This is an opportunity to evaluate and reflect on the project after community members have used the courts. This will begin with an opening celebration and provide an opportunity for feedback on the physical improvements, volunteer opportunities, fund raising, and programming.

Annexation Proposal

Annexation means incorporating property into City limits. It is the process of transferring parcels of land from unincorporated areas of a county into the service area and jurisdiction of a city. Properties brought into the City receive services such as water, sewer and emergency services.

The annexation process does not include approval of development. The annexation process focuses on whether it is appropriate for the parcels to be included in the City limits, but does not approve any specific development of the property.

An annexation and initial zoning application has been submitted to follow through with City Council direction to use the property for partially for parks and recreation purposes, partially for future flood mitigation and partially for open space use. Annexation brings the property into Boulder City Limits and allows connection to city infrastructure.

Racket Courts Project Process

The timelines are estimates. We will work hard to move through all of the appropriate steps and include the community thoughtfully.

• Site Analysis (September 2024 – January 2025)
  • This phase includes completing required studies on property annexation, feasibility and site programming. The department will contract services from experts to perform studies such as, but not limited to, wetlands mapping, land survey, wildlife and vegetation inventories.
• Concept Plan Development (Mar. – November 2025)
  • This phase includes visual project concepts, sharing information, answering questions, and evaluating alternatives with the community. This phase also includes developing high-level cost estimates to inform final budgeting and an anticipated capital campaign with the PLAY Boulder Foundation.
• Construction Documentation and Permitting (December 2025 – August 2026).
  • This phase moves the project from a concept plan to construction documentation, including all the details that will ensure this project provides a high-quality experience for our community.
• Construction (Fall 2026 – Spring 2027)
  • Ground breaking for the project through to completion of construction. This phase can be weather-dependent.
• Ribbon Cutting and Celebration (Spring 2027)
  • Opening of the courts for dedicated pickleball and tennis

The PLAY Boulder Foundation is proud to support the development of cutting-edge tennis and pickleball courts at East Boulder Community Park and a state-of-the-art public pickleball facility at Tom Watson Park.

Through your financial support these community courts will become vibrant, accessible gathering spaces where families, friends, and neighbors come together to play, connect, and grow. Contributions can enhance these projects with amenities like a shade structure, benches, picnic tables, or drinking fountains to support comfort and usability.

• Learn more and support enhancing these projects