Delaney Park Strip Tennis Courts Fundraising Event

What: Fun tennis event to raise funds to resurface the Park Strip Tennis Courts

When: Saturday, March 22, 2-4 pm

Where: Park Strip Tennis Courts

On March 22 from 2-4 pm, the Alaska Tennis Association is holding a fundraising event to raise money to resurface and renovate the Delaney Park Strip tennis courts. The event will feature “snow boot tennis” on snow covered courts, and games and lessons on a cleared court. Warm soup and hot beverages will be provided. Door prizes will be awarded to all those brave enough to play outdoor tennis at the end of an Alaska winter.

For decades the eight Park Strip tennis courts have been the heart of the outdoor tennis season in Anchorage.  They are used for lessons and pick-up play and are home to the major summer tournaments, including the Park and Recreation Open and the Anchorage City Championships.  The courts are used by college level and beginning players alike. Anchorage visitors staying in downtown and midtown also use the courts to play tennis under the “midnight sun.” High school junior varsity jamborees are held on the courts and in the past varsity high school teams have used the courts for practice and matches. The courts are centrally located and are close to the diverse neighborhoods of Fairview, Mountain View, and Spenard.  The Park Strip tennis courts are the face of the Anchorage outdoor tennis community.

Unfortunately, the courts have fallen into serious disrepair. Some of the courts are filled with cavernous cracks that fill with grass and dandelions later in the summer. On one court, dandelions actually grow in the doubles alley. Three of the courts are virtually unplayable due to the inch wide cracks that run along the baseline. Despite the poor condition of the courts, players patiently line up and wait to play tennis on the Park Strip. 

The Alaska Tennis Association has made it its main goal to see the Park Strip courts returned to their original condition. The ATA has worked hard to secure funds from the Municipality of Anchorage, the United States Tennis Association, individuals and local businesses. The ATA is very close to its goal of raising enough funds to resurface the four north courts this summer. The March 22 fundraiser will hopefully help the ATA reach its goal.

Please contact Allen Clendaniel, ATA president, with any questions (email: clendaniel.allen@dorsey.com, work phone: 257-7846, home phone: 334-6992).

Fliers for the event can be printed here.