Pickleball study prompts packed public comment; players push for quick tennis-to-pickleball conversions, neighbors raise noise concerns

The Parks and Recreation Commission on April 15 heard an update on pickleball offerings, a summary of an outdoor sports assessment and an extended public-comment period in which players urged faster, low-cost conversions of tennis courts to free, drop-in pickleball facilities.

Tracy Gott, recreation services manager, summarized the city’s current pickleball assets: an indoor program, a 12-court outdoor site at Lifetime Activity Center (reservable and fee-based), and limited weekend and daytime indoor play at the Recreation Center. She said Verdi (the city’s consultant on the outdoor sports assessment) recommended several actions: add dedicated pickleball courts at De Anza and Ensignal Park, add tennis courts at Las Palmas and Ponderosa (as tennis recommendations), and add pickleball overlays on existing basketball courts at Ortega and Washington. Gott said the study focused on existing city park sites, that staff and the consultant are…