USTA grants worth $305,000 will pay to rebuild all six tennis courts at Flaherty Park, Wake Forest's public tennis home. The work is due to finish in spring 2027.

All six tennis courts at J.B. Flaherty Park will be torn up and rebuilt, paid for with $305,000 in grants from the United States Tennis Association.

The Town of Wake Forest announced the grants on Thursday. The work is scheduled to be finished in spring 2027.

Where the money comes from

The town said the grants came from three parts of the USTA:

  • $200,000 from the national USTA’s Tennis Venue Services grant program
  • $100,000 from the USTA Southern Section
  • $5,000 from USTA North Carolina
Bar chart of USTA grants for the Flaherty Park tennis courts: $200,000 from USTA Tennis Venue Services, $100,000 from the USTA Southern Section and $5,000 from USTA North Carolina, $305,000 in all, from the Town of Wake Forest release of Oct. 15, 2026.
Where the $305,000 comes from. Chart by Wake Forest Journal
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The courts are at the park at 1226 N. White St. The town calls Flaherty Park “the home of public tennis in Wake Forest.”

What the rebuild will change

All the existing courts will be rebuilt to USTA standards, the town said. That will let the park run a full schedule of programs, including:

  • USTA leagues
  • youth tennis
  • other public tennis events

“The USTA’s investment allows us to continue providing high-quality tennis courts for our community that offer a safe and welcoming place to play and compete,” said Ruben Wall, the town’s parks, recreation and cultural resources director.

The grant also brings help with the job itself. The USTA’s Tennis Venue Services team gives grant winners project management support from start to finish, the release said. That includes court design advice and a review of construction documents.

Part of a national push

The USTA expanded the grant program in 2025 because more people are playing tennis, the release said. Since 2005 the program has awarded more than $34 million. More than $16 million of that went out in 2025 alone, to nearly 300 projects covering more than 2,500 courts.

What it means for you

  • Construction dates are not out yet. The town has not said when work will start or how long the courts will be closed. We will report the dates when the town posts them.
  • League and youth players: the town says the rebuilt courts will allow a full schedule of USTA leagues and youth tennis once the work is done.
  • Other places to play and walk: our parks and trails guide lists the town’s parks and what each one has.
  • Questions about the project go to the town’s Parks, Recreation and Cultural Resources Department through the town’s website.