After months of public engagement and consideration, the Friends of Woods Tennis (FOWT) organization has decided to withdraw its proposal to expand the tennis facility in Woods Park in Lincoln. The decision was announced by Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, Lincoln Parks and Recreation Director Maggie Stuckey-Ross, and Todd Peterson, the FOWT Board President.
The FOWT, a nonprofit organization that has managed the tennis facility in Woods Park since 2008, had submitted a proposal in June 2023 to expand the complex. However, after thorough evaluation and community feedback, the FOWT board voted to withdraw the proposal and explore alternative locations for the facility.
Director Stuckey-Ross commended the partnership between FOWT and the City, emphasizing the importance of making tennis accessible to the Lincoln community. Peterson expressed the organization’s commitment to creating an inclusive environment for tennis enthusiasts and highlighted the need to meet the growing demand for tennis facilities in the area.
Moving forward, the FOWT board will begin evaluating alternative sites for a new facility to accommodate their programming and meet the needs of the community and the Missouri Valley region. The search will include both public and private land options.
The City of Lincoln expressed its support for FOWT’s relocation efforts and emphasized its commitment to public-private partnerships that enhance recreational opportunities for residents. For more information about Woods Park and Woods Tennis, interested individuals can visit lincoln.ne.gov/WoodsPark and woodstennis.com respectively.