Watford Borough Council is introducing a new digital booking system and keypad entry gates for public tennis courts across the town to ensure fair access and reduce issues with vandalism. Starting 1 June 2026, residents will be able to book playing time in advance at four local venues, replacing the current first-come-first-served approach.
The upgraded systems are being installed at Oxhey Grange, Lea Farm, Orchard Park, and Cassiobury Park. To facilitate this work, the courts will be closed on specific days: 13 May at Oxhey Grange, 14 May at Lea Farm, 20 May at Orchard Park, and 21 May at Cassiobury Park.
While the courts will remain free to use, players will be required to book their sessions through the Lawn Tennis Association’s Clubspark platform. Once a booking is made, users will receive a unique PIN code to access the gate. For those who prefer to play spontaneously, a QR code will be available on the gate to allow for on-the-spot bookings, provided the court is not already reserved.
This initiative is part of a £30 million nationwide Park Tennis Project, funded by the UK Government and the LTA Tennis Foundation. The programme has already helped refurbish over 3,000 courts across Great Britain to improve community facilities.
The project arrives shortly after the re-election of Mayor Peter Taylor on 7 May 2026 for a third consecutive term. As local government in Hertfordshire is set for reorganisation, which under current proposed plans would result in the abolition of Watford Borough Council in April 2028, this upgrade stands as one of the final major infrastructure improvements managed under the current local council structure.
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