Public Tennis Courts in Moscow, Idaho

West Park Elementary School Courts. Behind the school (510 Home Street) and next to a couple softball courts (and along 6^th Street) are 3 asphalt courts varying in quality as follows: the west court is the best, and is okay; the middle one has significant cracks, but still a net, and is playable for some general purpose (non-serious) playing around with family members or friends; and the east court has gargantuan cracks (8 inches wide) and no net. The courts are first-come-first-served; and there are lights for night play. Though there are some trees and buildings around - the courts seem to suffer from continuous westerly breeze and little shade. After 3 pm during the school year you may park at the elementary school and after 5 pm in various University lots just across Paradise Creek (foot / bike bridge provided).

University of Idaho Kibbie Dome. The University (UI) Kibbie dome is presently closed for re-construction and expected to stay that way into August (2009). Normally there are from zero to half-dozen courts set up on the Dome floor. The plus is that if the courts are set up, and you can get on them, you can play through the winter. However, the UI Tennis Team has priority over the courts, and the courts are sometimes taken down (all or some) for other various events in the Dome. Restrooms are available in the locker rooms (and showers, if you want to pretend to be university-related), along with mucho `stairs' (for exercise while you're waiting for a court). The lighting is `fair', and sometimes you have the distraction of runners behind you on the Dome track, or varsity basketball players discourteously crossing your court to and from after practice. Call 885-0133 for the latest update on construction or to find out court schedule, or sign up for a time. Parking is a pain. Take change for metered parking, if you can find a free meter. The University Parking Services have a current policy of `no mercy'.

Memorial Gym / Physical Education Building. Not far from the Kibbie are 6 outdoor asphalt courts down off Rayburn Street and next to the Physical Education Building (PEB). Though getting a bit worn, these are good courts and are somewhat sheltered and shaded by surrounding conifers, buildings, and terrain. The UI Tennis team has priority on the courts; otherwise first-come-first-served. Bring change for parking meters; numerous surrounding University buildings provide `rest' if necessary. These courts also have two small backboards, and lights for night play. It's not the end of the world if you get there to find the UI Tennis Team practicing - since they're pretty cool to watch (men and women).

Admin Courts. East of the University of Idaho Administration Building, along Blake Street, are 4 newly surfaced asphalt courts with lights. These are the coziest courts in town, with shade, and occasional music major playing the piano in the background through an open window. Metered parking is along Blake.

Nez Perce Drive Playfields. In the 30 or so years I have been in Moscow I have never seen anyone playing on these courts. Interestingly, they must be well made (lots of rebar?), since there are virtually no cracks in the 3-court slab. There are no nets, and the lines are mostly weathered to invisibility. If you're curious, they are behind (south) of the UI Office of Development. Probably their only `public' use involves the two basketball hoops at opposite ends. Nearby fraternities, sororities, and other housing situations likely get some non-public use of the courts after dark.

Moscow Junior High School. Six good asphalt courts are located at D Street and Mountain View at the Junior High School. These are good courts with curtains on the south and west perimeters, which help some with the wind and especially in blocking out the visual traffic on D. No real shade to speak of, and ever shifting breeze, but remember, this is Moscow. This far north I wish the courts were oriented East-West, but they are all North-South, as traditional. The Junior High and High School tennis teams practice on the courts, and from time to time there are tournaments at the courts, but otherwise first-come-first-served. All strains of the tennis-playing subspecies can be found here - so don't be surprised if a stray ball (or small child) crosses your court. Parking is generally not a problem (and is free!). Restrooms are right across the street. Giant lights tower over the north side of the courts, but these are for the baseball field, not tennis. I played an endless summer of tennis here with one of my daughters - it is true Moscow, with one half the residents in their big pickups (without mufflers) driving by, and the other half pulling up in their minivans (to drop off tennis players). There is the constant din of the skateboarders at the skate park across the way, and the bustle of the 4-way stop at Mountain View.

References

Tennis Courts in Moscow (Slideshow), Jeff Filler, Associated Content.