Long Beach Amplifies Pickleball Infrastructure to Alleviate Noise Concerns

In a bid to address the rising noise complaints from residents living near pickleball courts, the city of Long Beach is taking decisive steps to enhance the pickleball infrastructure in the region. The Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine Department has announced the construction of 16 new pickleball courts, strategically located away from residential areas to mitigate noise disturbances.

New Courts, New Locations

The new courts will be evenly distributed between DeForest Park and Veterans Park, each hosting eight courts. These parks were chosen due to their isolated locations and the availability of dedicated parking lots, which are expected to alleviate the parking woes currently experienced in other areas. Hurley Owens, the bureau manager of maintenance and operations for the city, emphasized that the move aims to disperse the crowds and reduce the pressure on existing courts.

Sound Barriers to the Rescue

In addition to the new courts, the city is introducing sound barriers around the courts to dampen the noise produced during the games. These barriers are designed to absorb the sound of the ball hitting the paddle, reducing the noise level significantly. The installation of these barriers is already underway, with expectations to bring much-needed relief to the residents.

Adjusting Court Timings

To further curb the noise issues, the city has revised the court light timers, ensuring they turn off at 9 p.m. instead of the previous 10 p.m. schedule. This adjustment is aimed at reducing the playing hours and consequently, the noise experienced by the neighbors during the night.

Residents' Concerns

Despite these measures, residents like Sean Charles feel that the efforts might not be sufficient. Charles pointed out that the sound barriers are projected to reduce the noise by only 30%, and the streets would still be congested with players' cars. He advocates for courts to be situated in areas far removed from homes and equipped with sufficient parking spaces, urging empathy for the residents who endure the noise daily.

La Canada's Approach

Meanwhile, the city of La Canada is adopting a stricter approach by removing pickleball lines from the tennis court at Glenhaven Park, a response to over a year of noise complaints from neighbors. The court will now be exclusively reserved for tennis, a move that signals the gravity of the noise issue associated with pickleball.

As pickleball continues to grow in popularity, it brings along challenges that necessitate thoughtful solutions. The steps taken by Long Beach represent a concerted effort to balance the booming interest in pickleball with the peace and well-being of its residents. It remains to be seen how effective these measures will be in fostering a harmonious coexistence between the sport and the community.