The City of Roswell Residents gathered at Crabapple Center on March 11 for a Community Listening Session hosted by Roswell City Council to share feedback on the future of the courts at the facility.
The session was organized after City Council received concerns from some nearby residents regarding the newly constructed pickleball courts, particularly related to their proximity to neighboring homes and potential noise impacts.
Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Beeson opened the session by welcoming attendees and thanking residents for participating in the discussion.
“We know many residents care deeply about our parks and about their neighborhoods,” Beeson said. “This evening is an opportunity for Council to listen and hear directly from the community.”
The session provided residents with the opportunity to share comments and perspectives regarding whether the courts should remain dedicated to pickleball or be converted to tennis courts.
Residents who registered in advance, along with those who signed up upon arrival, were invited to speak during the session. The format focused on community comments and feedback rather than formal presentations.
City leadership and staff attended the session to listen to resident input, including Mayor Pro Tem Sarah Beeson, Councilmembers Eren Brumley, Christine Hall, and Jennifer Phillippi.
Representatives from the City’s Recreation, Parks, Historic, and Cultural Affairs Department were also present to support the session and help document the feedback shared by residents.
Throughout the evening, residents shared a variety of perspectives related to the courts, including experiences with nearby recreation facilities, neighborhood impacts, and the growing popularity of pickleball as a recreational sport.
No decisions or vote occurred during the listening session. Instead, the meeting was designed to provide City Council an opportunity to hear directly from residents before any future discussion on the courts.
“Community input is an important part of how we approach decisions that affect our parks and neighborhoods,” Beeson said. “We appreciate everyone who took the time to attend and share their perspective.”
City staff will compile the comments and feedback shared during the session and provide that information to City Council as part of the City’s ongoing review of the courts at Crabapple Center.
Photos from Crabapple Listening Session – March 11, 2026
About Crabapple Center
Crabapple Center is part of a broader bond-funded initiative through the City’s 2022 Recreation and Parks Bond Program, which supports improvements to parks, recreation facilities, and community spaces throughout Roswell.
The former school property is being transformed into a multi-use community facility supporting athletics, performing arts, and recreation programs for residents of all ages.
A key focus of the project is providing additional space for Roswell’s growing performing arts programs, which have experienced significant participation growth in recent years. Since 2021, the City has seen an 80% increase in performing arts enrollment, reflecting the growing demand for accessible arts programming.
The relocation of performing arts programming to Crabapple Center will also create additional space within the Physical Activity Center, allowing the City’s gymnastics program to continue expanding. Gymnastics participation has increased by 21% since 2021, highlighting the need for additional program capacity.
Planned improvements at Crabapple Center include studio spaces for performing arts programs, and outdoor recreational amenities, helping position the facility as a vibrant hub for arts, athletics, and community programming.