Montclair Drops Pickleball Conversion From $3M Canterbury Park Grant

Montclair officials removed the proposal to convert an existing tennis court at Canterbury Park into two pickleball courts from a $2.99 million New Jersey State Green Acres grant application following a large turnout and vocal opposition at a Township Council public hearing on February 24, 2026, Montclair Local reported. The hearing was held as part of the council meeting after residents objected strongly to the pickleball element of the project.

The township’s formal project scope posted in a January 22, 2026 public notice listed a slate of upgrades at Canterbury Park, 9 Planchet Drive: renovate the playground, renovate the basketball court, upgrade pathways and benches, improve outdoor fitness equipment, and convert the tennis court into two (2) pickleball courts. Montclair Local gave the specific funding request as $2.99 million and MontclairNJUSA identified the grant program as the State of New Jersey Green Acres Program.

MontclairNJUSA’s notice set the public hearing for Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM, noting the council meeting was scheduled to start at 5:30 PM and that the hearing would be held in person at the Municipal Building, 205 Claremont Avenue. The municipal posting also referenced a concept plan, a preliminary cost estimate, and an environmental impact assessment as available online, though the notice excerpt did not include the document link in the materials published with the notice.

Residents at the hearing pressed town officials on process as well as the conversion itself. Montclair Local quoted attendee Anna Grossman: “We need more community engagement about these projects way before the public hearing, especially when the public hearing is three days before the deadline.” Local coverage described the meeting as drawing “significant public turnout” and said many residents objected to what Montclair Local called the now-scrapped pickleball plans.

Local summaries and social posts echoed the outcome: Montclair Girl reported officials “pushed back on pickleball court proposals tied to a $3 million park improvement grant application,” and social posts headlined that Montclair “bounced” the pickleball plans at the hearing. Presentation imagery used in coverage carried photo credit to Matt Kadosh/Montclair Local and plan graphics attributed to Township of Montclair/Neglia Group.

Township materials direct written comments to Norberto Hernandez, PE, Township Engineer, at nhernandez@montclairnjusa.org or by mail to 219 North Fullerton Ave, Montclair, NJ 07042. Montclair Local reporter Matt Kadosh can be reached at matt@montclairlocal.news for further detail on the Feb. 24 presentation and the $2.99 million Green Acres application. The township has not published a revised application in the materials cited, and it is not yet reported whether a modified submission or a renewed pickleball proposal will be filed.