New Bedford’s Tennis Courts Were Once a Popular Teen Hangout

Whether or not you played tennis, the New Bedford's tennis courts were the place to be on a late summer afternoon and evening during the 1970s. The truth of the matter is a lot of folks played tennis back then, but not so much anymore. I wonder why that is?

The City of New Bedford's Parks Department maintained tennis courts at Buttonwood Park and Brooklawn Park, and there were courts at the "new" New Bedford High School, too. Lots of tennis courts.

The tennis courts were near the center of Buttonwood Park, where the red brick building with the restrooms is. There was a snack shack and a parking lot near the tennis courts and a road that connected it all to the rotary on Court Street.

Buttonwood Park still has tennis courts, but they are now further south at the back of the Buttonwood Park Zoo parking lot. There are six courts in all, three each in separate penned-in areas. One pen is open while the other is locked. I was unable to find out why that is.

Brooklawn Park has lost about two-thirds of the tennis courts it once had. There are now three courts. The rest of the courts are now a small skate park and some basketball courts.

The tennis courts at New Bedford High School are all gone now. There were quite a few, even as late as the '90s.

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I'm not sure why the city removed them. I guess there wasn't much interest in them.

New Bedford High School still maintains a tennis program for boys and girls. They must play at Buttonwood Park.

It's strange how something so popular can fade out over time. Did you play tennis recreationally while a teenager? Did you hang out at the parks?