Commission to hold public discussion on pickleball and racket sports after spot survey draws minimal response

Commissioners and staff at the Menlo Park Parks and Recreation Commission meeting extensively discussed community concerns about racket sports — particularly pickleball and tennis — and agreed to schedule a fuller public discussion in February 2026 after staff warned the commission that a brief spot survey returned only seven responses.

Tricia Mullen, Library and Community Services supervisor, and Ashley Dixon, management analyst, described a low response rate to a spot survey intended to inform next steps. "We got seven respondents," one staff speaker said, noting the sample was not statistically significant and that staff folded the limited results into general department updates rather than placing a full agenda report based on that data.

Commissioners emphasized both the need to amplify community voices and the risk of creating false expectations. A commissioner who proposed a two-step approach said the commission should first solicit public feedback in a meeting labeled for comment and then ask staff what studies or data they could provide and when. "I'd rather do two steps," the commissioner said, describing an initial public-feedback session followed by a staff-directed workplan to return with data.

Staff cautioned about legal and operational limits: Management analyst Ashley Dixon reminded commissioners of public-comment norms under the Brown Act and the difference between receiving comments and creating an actionable agenda item. Staff also advised commissioners to be mindful of staff resource constraints and suggested an agenda-review meeting before finalizing a public session so expectations are clear.

The commission discussed and agreed to target February 2026 for a substantive update that would allow staff time to prepare materials and avoid a crowded January schedule. Commissioners also discussed inviting a council liaison to future meetings and holding a short pre-meeting between the chair, vice chair and staff to set agenda scope.

The exchange captured concerns from residents and players about access, neighborhood impacts, and program quality; commissioners said they want to hear community input without promising immediate policy action. Staff committed to clarifying what data it can provide and to proposing a timeline for further study.

Next steps: the commission will place a pickleball/tennis update on a future agenda (provisionally February 2026), hold a public-feedback session in an appropriately worded agenda, and ask staff to return with a recommended scope of study and timeline.