City Council reviews CIP 619 plan to restore Kelly Pickleball Courts in Hermosa Beach

In the heart of Hermosa Beach, the city council convened on April 22, 2025, to address pressing community concerns surrounding the local pickleball courts. The meeting unfolded against a backdrop of ongoing debates about noise, safety, and accessibility, as residents and council members alike sought to find a balance between recreational needs and neighborhood tranquility.

The discussion began with a historical overview of the Kelly Pickleball Courts, which had been transformed from two tennis courts into four dedicated pickleball courts after extensive community engagement. However, since their opening in February 2025, the courts faced challenges, including noise complaints from nearby residents and safety concerns that led to the temporary closure of two courts. The city staff reported that while the pickleball community expressed dissatisfaction with limited court hours, feedback from neighbors indicated a preference for reduced noise during certain times.

In response to these issues, a stakeholder group was formed in 2021, comprising local residents and pickleball players, to explore solutions that would accommodate both parties. The council approved new use policies in July 2021, which aimed to provide access to the courts during peak times while also offering relief to nearby residents. Despite these efforts, the council noted ongoing challenges, including unauthorized use of the courts outside designated hours, which were exacerbated by the proximity of tennis courts that remained open longer.

City staff presented a proposal for a capital improvement project (CIP 619) aimed at addressing safety concerns and restoring the temporarily closed courts. The project, which includes resurfacing and reconfiguring all courts at the Kelly Complex, was deemed a high priority by the parks commission. However, the council faced a setback when it rejected bids for the project, opting instead to seek further input from the public works and parks commissions.

During public comments, residents voiced their support for the restoration of the courts, emphasizing the importance of pickleball as a community-building activity. Many argued that the noise from pickleball was less disruptive than that of nearby baseball games, urging the council to move forward with the project to enhance recreational opportunities in the area.

As the meeting concluded, the council acknowledged the need for ongoing dialogue with the community to refine court use policies and ensure that the interests of both pickleball enthusiasts and local residents are respected. The future of the Kelly Pickleball Courts remains uncertain, but the commitment to finding a solution that serves the entire community is clear.