Landscape Architect Victoria Taylor asked the County’s Environmental Advisory Committee to support a petition challenging plans for six pickleball courts in Delhi park last week. The petition calls on Council to reconsider the location.

The park was approved as the site of six pickleball courts in 2024, after Council declared the plan a Project of Community Interest in 2022. But as Delhi gains new prominence as a key community resource, critics of the plan say a broader conversation about the future of the 31-acre park is required. 

The Prince Edward County Pickleball Committee is raising $266,500 of the $400,000 project. The  rest is to come from parkland reserve funds, contributed to by developers who pay cash in lieu of building a park.

The new courts will occupy the former baseball diamond directly across from the Picton Community Gardens. Supporters see an opportunity to expand recreational amenities, while those opposed want more comprehensive environmental reviews, including sound and light studies, before any new development proceeds. It is not clear what studies have been carried out so far. 

“I’m here today to advocate with your committee for the park, and to express the need to take a step back, to slow down, and carefully consider this 31-acre green space and its important role in the daily public life of our community,” Ms. Taylor said.

More than 200 people have signed the petition. Ms. Taylor noted park neighbours, Picton residents and members of the Picton Community Gardens think more public consultation is required.

Meanwhile, the municipality has announced a Public Information Centre on-site in Delhi Park on Monday July 20th from 4-6:30pm. “The draft plan will be on display, and attendees will have the opportunity to review the proposed drawings and ask questions,” said Clerk Catalina Blumenberg.

Ms. Taylor noted that two major initiatives, the Cultural Heritage Master Plan and Delhi Park Community Connections Active Transportation Plan, have raised awareness about the park’s environmental and cultural significance in the years since Council approved Delhi as the location for the courts.

“We must pause to understand exactly what we have here and what we stand to lose,” she said.

Ms. Taylor also underscored the absence of a master plan for Delhi Park, the lack of wildlife and baseline noise studies, and questions about why the Picton Fairgrounds was not selected as an alternative location.

“There are herons making their home in Marsh Creek and all sorts of bird species that could be affected by the six courts, yet no study has been conducted to understand the environmental impact to wildlife.” She noted that turtles cross from Marsh Creek over the former baseball diamond to nesting areas behind the gardens.

Committee Chair Councillor Kate McNaughton challenged Ms. Taylor’s suggestion of a lack of transparency in the site selection.

“To correct, there’s been no lack of transparency,” she said. “No one’s trying to be sneaky.”

She said staff identified Delhi Park as a way to replace recreational opportunities after the baseball diamond fell out of use, adding the goal was “to activate that particular park.”

 Committee members also discussed whether Delhi would benefit from a master planning process. Ms. McNaughton confirmed no such study is currently underway. Committee member Jane Lesslie supported a baseline noise study before the project proceeds. “I always like to know where we’re starting so we have a baseline measure that we can work from.” 

The deputation was part of a new public conversation about Delhi Park, as residents continue to weigh recreation, environmental stewardship, cultural heritage, and the future of one of Picton’s key public spaces.