An early-day game of tennis doubles pictures a female partner with long skirts, long sleeves and a large picture hat. No doubt she is protecting a lily complexion, an important asset for women and girls in 1906 when the post card was made. Tennis has always been a popular sport here, and many old post cards, many made in color in Germany, show photographs of Kansas City courts. Reports prepared by the park board as early as 1907 mention courts at the various city parks, such as those in Swope Park one block east of the new refreshment building and others at Budd Park, Penn Valley and the Concourse. Golf and tennis disbursements for Swope Park for the year 1907 were $118.32 for construction and $207.47 for maintenance. By 1920 the park system had 3 swimming pools, 7 wading pools, 16 baseball diamonds under permit system and 83 tennis courts. Today the city's Park and Recreation Department has reconditioned and repaired all except seven of the present courts and is planning for 212 new ones. Kansas City Times, September 22, 1973.
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