A wealthy oceanfront town in California has banned pickleball in its public parks due to persistent noise complaints from residents. Carmel, California, has voted to permanently prohibit the sport at Forest Hill Park, the only public park within city limits where the activity was allowed. This decision comes after a city council vote, marking the first such ban in the state. The council had first imposed a temporary ban last month to allow time for a more permanent solution, but ultimately opted for complete prohibition.
Residents reported that the ‘popping’ sound of paddles hitting balls had been echoing through the neighborhood, particularly in the growing popularity of the sport among seniors and retirees. Some residents praised the temporary ban for reducing noise and improving community tranquility, with one resident expressing relief at the quieter environment. However, others have raised concerns about the difficulty of enforcing the ban, especially in unsupervised courts where there is no parks and recreation department to monitor activity. Questions have been raised about who would be responsible for ensuring compliance and whether police would be needed to enforce the rule.
Opponents of the ban argue that even ‘quiet’ pickleball could be a preferable alternative to a complete prohibition. Some players, like Barbara Lang, have expressed support for allowing the use of quieter equipment if it were to be permitted. However, the city council has decided against this compromise, stating that it would be too complex to manage. Council member Alissandra Dramov emphasized that the decision was based on the reality that Forest Hill Park is not a suitable location for pickleball. The city is planning to draft an ordinance to permanently ban the sport, with opponents given two more hearings to challenge the ban. Mayor Dale Byrne has supported the decision, acknowledging the difficulty in enforcing it but citing the lack of viable alternatives.
The decision has sparked a range of reactions, from support for the quiet environment to concerns over the impracticality of enforcement. The town remains a vibrant community, and the ruling could set a precedent for other areas grappling with similar issues.