L. Scott Stell Park Improvements

L. Scott Stell Park has long served as a popular recreational destination for residents in southern Chatham County. Over time, heavy use had taken its toll on the park’s tennis, basketball, and pickleball courts. Chatham County undertook a comprehensive modernization effort to improve accessibility, comfort, and the overall visitor experience.

CHA led the park's transformation, providing sports design, architecture, planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, stormwater engineering, and construction administration services. The project replaced 4 tennis courts and 4 basketball courts, added 10 pickleball courts, and reconfigured the orientation of all playing surfaces based on an in-house solar incidence study to reduce sun glare during peak usage periods.

New open-air steel "airnasiums" were constructed over each court complex, providing shade, ventilation, integrated lighting, and weather protection while maintaining the outdoor playing experience. Additional improvements included ADA-compliant parking, accessible pathways and ramps, picnic shelters, site lighting, and enhanced landscaping.

This modern, community-focused recreation destination supports athletic programming, public events, and year-round outdoor activity while reinforcing the park's role as a vibrant gathering place for residents of all ages.