Council approves converting one Cerritos Park East tennis court to dual-use pickleball courts

The City Council voted unanimously on May 22 to convert one tennis court at Cerritos Park East into a dual-use surface striped to accommodate four pickleball courts. The conversion will use permanent striping and new portable nets similar to those purchased for the recently opened Liberty Park pickleball facility.

City staff said the courts at Cerritos Park East are in good condition and that the conversion cost would be modest — primarily striping and nets — based on the recent Liberty Park installation. Council members discussed noise and proximity to residences; staff recommended selecting the court farthest from nearby homes if council approves a conversion. The council asked staff to avoid disrupting high-use tennis courts and to monitor demand.

Multiple public commenters — including longtime local players — urged dedicated pickleball courts and a schedule that makes courts available during cooler morning and evening hours. Speakers also requested reservation options for tournaments and clarified that some county-run courts (Don Knabe Regional Park) are not a direct substitution because they require a membership fee and limited hours.

The motion approved: convert one Cerritos Park East tennis court to dual-use with four pickleball courts; public use will be first-come, drop-in unless staff proposes a reservation program; staff to return with operational details about location selection, hours and signage.

Ending: Staff will schedule the striping and net purchases and return with operational rules; the council asked that the converted court be the one farthest from adjacent homes.