Clay Courts

In 1992, Ed Robinson, Cranford’s mayor at the time, called Mary Goodfellow to talk about the public clay tennis courts on Springfield Avenue.  The condition of the courts had deteriorated dramatically during the previous several years.  Grass and weeds were growing on courts 2 and 3 and as the condition of the courts had worsened, so too had the utilization. 

The courts were originally part of The Cranford Canoe Club and date to the 1870’s.  Big Bill Tilden, holder of Wimbledon and U.S Open titles played a match on these courts in the 20’s.  Unlike most public courts, these were clay, not hard surface, and they were lighted for evening play

Ed had played in the tennis tournaments in the late ‘70’s when many townspeople showed up to watch the matches. Ed knew what the courts had meant to the community, didn’t like what was happening and as mayor was concerned about the cost of maintaining an under utilized facility that had become an eyesore.

Mary’s first call was to Frank Hogan.  Frank is an enthusiastic advocate for tennis, the parent of several fine players and a certified teaching professional.  Together they reached out to the tennis playing community.  An advertisement was placed inviting those with an interest in the courts to a meeting.  More than 30 residents showed up.  Mary and Frank gauged the interest of this group and proposed leasing the courts from the township and making the clay courts a private club.  The Club would charge dues to the membership, maintain the courts and relieve the governing body of the responsibility of managing the courts.  When Mary and Frank presented this proposal to Ed Robinson he smiled and said, “ I think that just might work.”  The necessary paperwork was completed and The Cranford Court Club now leases the courts for $1.00 a year from the township.

Mary continues to serve as President and with eight other trustees, manages the club.  There are roughly 150 members and annual dues are $150 for an individual, or $200 for a family from Cranford.   The by-laws specify that 75% of the membership must be from Cranford and residents who want to join are accepted before players from neighboring towns.  The balance of the membership comes from 12 to 14 nearby communities.  They pay slightly more for a family membership and their wait for membership can last for several years.

Nearly all of the money raised through dues goes into the preparation and maintenance of the clay courts.  Clay courts are a misnomer – they’re really composition or “soft courts.”  The courts have a subsurface of red clay, and a top dressing of calcium chloride and finely ground shale.  The calcium chloride helps the clay retain moisture and the shale is the actual playing surface.  At the beginning of each season more than 4,000 pounds of top dressing are needed to prepare each court for play.  Because these courts are so close to the river and Cranford has a high water table, they recover less quickly from a downpour than most.  The Club must hold some top dressing in reserve to repair the courts after several days of rain.

The Club does not hire attendants to care for the courts.  Rather, after players have finished their matches they prepare the court for the next group of players by dragging it and sweeping the lines.  The Club has upgraded the sprinkling system and the courts are watered twice daily.  

Because the courts are lighted and centrally located they enjoy high visibility and are an important amenity for Cranford.  The members, with a good deal of help from the Floraphile Garden Club, care not only for courts but the grounds that surround courts. 

In September, the Club will hold its second annual tournament to benefit the Patrick French Foundation.  Patrick is a seven year old who suffered an adverse reaction to an immunization shot as a baby and the foundation helps to offset the cost of the care he needs.  This tournament is open to members and non-members alike and last year more than $2,500 was raised.

I would have preferred that the courts remained public and were maintained as they were back in the ‘70’s when a fellow named Howard Dickstein cared for the courts.  However, I’m delighted that the courts are properly maintained and that there is an active tennis playing community in Cranford.  I believe that Ed Robinson looked at a problem and found a solution that has worked for our community.  I believe that Mary Goodfellow, Frank Hogan and the trustees of The Cranford Clay Courts Club have served our community well.  Like most organizations, this Club has a website – www.cranfordtennis.com - if you care to learn more about them.