A wealthy town in California has banned Pickleball for being too loud, as games have been played at all hours.
Pickleball has spiked in popularity around the world over the last few years, with professional leagues starting in Europe and the United States. In a lot of neighborhoods, it’s hard to go to a park and not see a court set up for tennis and pickleball.
However, for residents in Carmel City, California, they’re going to have to find somewhere else to play. According to SFGate and the New York Post, residents are effectively banned from playing pickleball after the Carmel City Council voted to make way for a permanent ordinance at Forest Hills Park.
As per SFGate, the council had previously floated an idea to require players to use “quiet” balls and paddles to reduce the noise. However, complaints have continued over the popping sound of the games, therefore pushing them to put a temporary ban in place.
Pickleball ban brings “quiet”
Residents said that they had enjoyed how “peaceful and quiet” things had gotten due to the temporary ban, stating that returning Pickleball with ‘quieter’ rules would still be a “problem.”
“These aren’t supervised courts. You know that. They’re not — there’s no parks and rec department. So as I addressed in my letter: Who’s going to enforce this?” Carmel resident Kimberly Edwards asked the council.
“We’re just overcomplicating it in the name of compromise,” city councillor Alissandra Dramov said, adding that players have to “accept the reality this is not a good location for pickleball.”
A sign prohibiting Pickleball has appeared on courts.
Professional pickleballers urged the council to reconsider, pushing for the “quiet” pickleball rules to be used. However, the temporary ban is in place.
As per SFGate’s reporting, players will have two chances to oppose the new rules at future hearings, but they will only come after a permanent ban is struck down.
