Residents urge earlier hours, lighting fixes for new Liberty Park pickleball courts; commission discusses referral to council

A resident urged the Cerritos Parks and Recreation Commission to allow earlier morning and later evening play on the city’s recently converted pickleball courts and offered to help the city with lighting and net‑security solutions.

The comment came during the public‑comment period at a regular meeting, when Teddy Lloyd said the new dual‑use courts at Liberty Park open at 10 a.m. and close at 8 p.m., a schedule he said misses prime morning play for many seniors. “Please can we make that the courts open not at 10, but make it open at 7 or maybe 06:30?” Lloyd said.

The matter mattered to commissioners because the new eight dual‑use courts — created by converting two tennis courts — are part of a trial rollout. A staff member told the commission, “the courts are currently open from 10AM to 8 p.m. during the park’s operating hours,” and said the conversion was being tested on a trial basis. The staff member also said the city council previously directed staff to convert one court at Cerritos Park East to add four more dual‑use pickleball courts.

Why it matters: players, particularly older adults, requested earlier hours and improved lighting so they can use courts during cooler morning times. Staff said the Liberty Park site also has five other courts that are not fenced and remain available for drop‑in use earlier in the day; the eight new courts are dual‑use and have movable nets on casters, which prompted staff concerns about theft and public safety that influenced operating hours.

What was proposed and discussed - Public commenter Teddy Lloyd suggested opening the converted courts as early as 6:30–7 a.m. and extending evening hours to 10 p.m. He offered to share ideas and volunteer technical help at no charge to the city for securing nets and adjusting lighting. - A commissioner (unnamed in the record) said the commission could prepare a resolution or recommendation and take the issue to the City Council. - Staff emphasized restrictions on taking formal action during public comment but said they would take community feedback and monitor the dual‑use trial. Staff described the nets as high‑quality, movable (on casters), and that the conversion was being piloted to assess use, security and operations. - Commissioners and staff noted that Liberty Park already has five additional courts that are unfenced and available for drop‑in use earlier in the day, and that one Cerritos Park East court conversion is planned per prior council direction.

Details from the meeting - New dual‑use courts at Liberty Park: 8 courts created by converting two tennis courts (referred to as Tennis Courts 5 and 6). Hours for the converted courts: 10 a.m.–8 p.m. (trial basis). Staff cited theft and public‑safety concerns for movable nets as reasons for the limited hours. - Other Liberty Park courts: 5 additional courts at Liberty Park (not fenced) remain available for drop‑in use until lights are turned off and therefore can be used earlier in the morning. - Planned expansion: City Council gave staff direction to convert one court at Cerritos Park East (adding 4 more dual‑use courts). - Lighting: Lloyd suggested relatively simple adjustments (changing bulbs/aiming) could improve illumination without a full LED retrofit; staff said they would follow up to verify whether lamps are operational and to review his suggestions.

Commission response and next steps Commission members voiced support for taking the community’s concerns to the next level. One commissioner suggested moving the item forward to the City Council for consideration; staff said they would gather feedback and return with information. No formal action on pickleball hours or lighting occurred at the meeting because Lloyd’s remarks were made during public comment and the commission cannot take action on items not posted on the agenda.

Votes at a glance (consent and information items recorded at the meeting) - Approval of minutes (May 1): motion to approve minutes; outcome: approved (tally: yes 5, no 0). Mover/second: not specified in the transcript. - Spring Fling and Fireworks Spectacular (informational review of April 26 event): motion to receive and file the report; outcome: approved (mover/second not specified). - 2025 Women’s Day Luncheon (informational review): motion to receive and file the report; outcome: approved (mover/second not specified).

What to watch for Staff said they will gather the community feedback, check lights and net security, and share follow‑up information with the commission; commissioners indicated interest in preparing a council referral if needed. The commission did not vote on schedule changes or lighting at this meeting.

Attributions in this story are drawn from public comment and staff statements recorded on the meeting transcript. Direct quotes are from individuals identified in the transcript and are noted with their role at first reference.