Hudson Court

An app design that will streamline booking and management of courts at the Hudson River Park

Timeline

3 months

CONTEXT
WHAT IS HUDSON COURT?

Just North of the Holland Tunnel and Tribeca, and West of Soho, Hudson River Park’s three, newly-resurfaced tennis courts operate on a first come, first served basis. No permit required. Anyone can play on Hudson River Park's two doubles tennis courts and one singles tennis court.

RULES AND REGULATION:

1. Tennis Courts operate on a user honor system, and are available on a first-come, first-served basis with a limit of ONE HOUR of court time play when others are waiting.

2. When all courts are in use, a line will form at the benches facing the courts at the sign that says “Line Forms Here”

3. Those waiting for court time should not leave the line area. You will lose your place in line if you are not present when a court becomes free.

4. Court time play shall not exceed a period of ONE HOUR, except when there is no one waiting in line at the end of your one hour of play.

5. When school is in session, courts shall be reserved for permit-holding schools on weekdays from 3:30 pm – 5:30 pm. The courts must be vacated immediately when a permit-holding school arrives. If no school is permitted, normal court rules will apply.

6. A maximum of six balls may be used on each court.

7. No professional lessons or hoppers are permitted.

UNORGANIZED SYSTEM CAUSING FRUSTRATIONS ASSOCIATED WITH COURT AVAILABILITY

PROJECT PROBLEM

As an avid tennis player in popular Hudson River Park, where I live nearby and going there on weekends, I’ve frequently encountered a number of frustrating issues when trying to use the courts, despite arriving early with the expectation of having immediate access. Here are some of the key problems I’ve observed:

Inability to Book Courts in Advance
The absence of a booking system means players can’t reserve a court ahead of time, leading to overcrowding and competition during popular hours. Players often have to arrive much earlier than they plan to play, just to secure a spot.
Lack of Visibility on Court Availability
Without a digital waitlist or booking system, players are forced to physically line up (which takes up 2 to 3 hours) or rely on an informal, first-come-first-serve basis. This can lead to confusion, misunderstandings, and disputes, especially during peak hours. It’s common to observe in the park for players to skip ahead, either by accident, or on purpose, creating tension among waiting groups. Players also have no way to predict peak usage times, which means that may waste trips trying to find an available court.
No System to Enforce Court Time Limits
The park has a one-hour limit for court use, but since there’s no timer or tracking system, players often unknowingly (or knowingly) exceed their allotted time. This results in those waiting in line waiting even longer. This lack of time management is not only inefficient but also unfair to other players.
No Real-Time Status Updates
Players have no way to receive real-time updates on court conditions. This can be particularly problematic in cases of unexpected weather changes, maintenance work, or special events that may result in court closures.
Limited Accessibility for New Players
Newcomers or tourists may have difficulty understanding how the informal court reservation system works. Without clear guidance, they might feel unwelcome or confused, limiting the accessibility and inclusivity of the courts.
Inaccurate Information on Court Conditions
Without a centralized platform, players can’t report issues such as broken nets, slipper surfaces, or damaged lights. As a result, maintenance issues may go unreported, leading to unsafe playing conditions.