Redevelopment of Rock Creek Tennis Courts- how to destroy a community resource

[Anonymous]

HI,

I just learned about plans for Rock Creek Park to give land to Mark Ein to create a tennis complex. Picnic areas, green space, and access to the park would be limited by a massive tennis complex. No competitive bids, no discussions just a land grab. There is only a 12 day waiting period that would end on 12/25/2025. Apparently, DC council members were aware of this plan months ago but didn't reveal the plan, despite neighbors raising concerns about an a previous development idea that would give have given the city the land and preserved some access to the community. This current proposal creates a tennis complex to meet the needs of the annual tennis tournament and not much else. It would limit access to DC residents as it would be a commercial business, which is a huge loss. Right now the park hosts picnics and is a gateway to some of the hiking trails. This access would be curtailed or limited. While this area could do with being redesigned, it should remain a community asset for all to enjoy.

https://wamu.org/story/25/06/12/d-c-is-pursuing-a-deal-to-gain-control-of-the-rock-creek-tennis-center-and-develop-a-sportsplex/

Some neighbors are trying to get more information before this becomes a done deal on 12/25/2025. We are starting a petition but I urge anybody who has questions or concerns to reach out to your council member, especially Janeese Lewis, for answers.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for flagging this OP.

Mixed feelings as a huge tennis fan you attend the Citi Open annually and has also played at and taken classes at the tennis center. I do think it's time for new facilities there and what Ein has proposed sounds great to me -- an upgraded stadium court, additional hard courts, even panel and pickleball courts. All of that would be could for racquet sports in general in DC, which I support because it's a really accessible sport (you can play it from age 4 to age 80, you can play it with a broad variety of physical disabilities, you can play it at any level, and it's great for your body and mind).

But obviously the city shouldn't just foot the bill for this or hand over land to a wealthy businessman without a deal in place that benefits the city. Like if the plan is for the facility to regularly host free or low cost community events, in addition to the Citi Open and the higher cost tennis instruction and play it already hosts, I think that's a good deal for the city. Like if they hosted red ball clinics for kids to help them learn the basics of the support, tournaments for the large and active senior tennis community in the city, etc., I think this could be a total win-win all around. But it doesn't sound like there's been any discussion of what the city will get out of the facility. That's a problem.

I definitely support renovating and reopening Carter Barron as well, and could see that being a way Ein could sweeten this deal, though to be honest I view that as a separate issue and think it makes more sense to focus on how the revamped tennis center will serve the city and community rather than just enrich Ein.

[Anonymous]

^ sorry about all my typos, hope that's still legible!

[Anonymous]

I totally agree the center needs some serious upgrading and enhanced. However, I don't think a one week tournament trumps the needs of city residents. Taking away picnic areas and not improving access and amenities for residents while footing the bill for developer doesn't make sense.

An earlier proposal included basketball courts, pickle ball courts and retained the picnic areas and playground space. Now all of that is gone.

In addition, the tournament doesn't big in that much revenue for the city. It does little to support local business owners (unless it rains)
The area is not metro accessible and is a quiet residential neighborhood. Those of us in the neighborhood accept the disruptions because its just a week, but expanding and presumably increasing the number of events would directly impact the neighborhood and those who use the fields for soccer, flag football, etc. Field space is limited in the city and huge chunks of it are just being given away.

I also don't like how Councile members, especially Ms. Lewis, know about this and said nothing, despite neighbors repeatedly asking for more information. I wonder if she plans on receiving campaign donations from Mark Ein (whose company is redeveloping RFK)

[Anonymous]

BTW, Mark Ein lives in Virginia, so DC taxpayer money will fund his business ventures. He doesn't even live in the District!

[Anonymous]

Here is a link for anybody interested in learning more about
https://groups.io/g/RockCreekParkDefenders

[Anonymous]

His dad was my allergist for 25 years. Say hi to Daniel, Mark.

[Anonymous]

Seems like Trump wants to take control of the Rock Creek Golf course again.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/12/13/trump-dc-golf-national-links-trust/

[Anonymous]

Pickleball courts have been proposed. It's a done deal.

[Anonymous]

Sounds amazing. But please, for the love of good, add some indoor batting cages.

[Anonymous]

Either let them do this and bring the tennis center up to snuff or tear it down and have picnic benches and a few hard courts but don’t let it keep limping along.

[Anonymous]

Tennis courts need fixing and the area needs some upgrades. But the proposed plan replaces much loved and used space to meet the needs of a one week tennis tournament at taxpayer expense. The courts can be renovated while adding additional amenities that the community can use such as a nice playground, basketball court and nicer picnic facilities. And the natural beauty and trees could be preserved. Instead this is a give away to a developer who will restrict community access and charge Dc taxpayers for the privilege of hosting an annual event that benefits mostly him. DC committed nine million dollars to start repairs to the tennis center. Why should the city pay if they won’t own the land?

[Anonymous]

This is what they did to Rock Creek Stables. They closed it to the public and now it seems to be private and houses these beautiful white (gray) horses. Steal public resources and sell them privately is how this administration operates.

[Anonymous]

But once the courts are redeveloped there is no restoring the land or the picnic spaces.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is what they did to Rock Creek Stables. They closed it to the public and now it seems to be private and houses these beautiful white (gray) horses. Steal public resources and sell them privately is how this administration operates.

Um, that’s not even close to what happened.