Apr 6, 2026 By Conner Goetz 2 min read

Local tennis and pickleball enthusiasts could see an improved playing experience as soon as spring 2027 thanks to a grant application approved during a meeting last week.

Washington City Council unanimously approved the submission of a $270,000 grant application Thursday to the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Community Conservation Partnerships Program, which would pay for a complete resurfacing of the six tennis and four pickleball courts in Washington Park.

According to City Administrator Rich Cleveland, the DCNR grant requires a one-to-one local funding match, which will be provided using unspent funds from a previous Redevelopment Authority of the County of Washington Local Share Account grant award.

Cleveland expects DCNR to announce the grant recipients in September, with work on the courts starting sometime in spring 2027 if the city’s application is successful.

The council also accepted a $75,758 bid from Graham Boys LLC of Claysville to replace the floor of the park’s Stone Pavilion.

According to Cleveland, the city opened the project for bids earlier this year, with Graham Boys submitting the lowest estimate so far.

Cleveland said council is anticipated to award the final project later in April, with work to begin by the end of the month.

The project will replace the deteriorating stone and cement floor with an all-cement surface, he said, which will feature a stamped design that will mimic the previous stone tiles.

The work is necessary because the current floor is cracking and lifting up in several places, rendering it inaccessible for people who use mobility aids such as wheelchairs or walkers, he said.

“It’s more cost effective and it will take less maintenance work,” Cleveland said.