Carmel, a small and quiet coastal town in California, has decided to ban pickleball. This temporary order has come into effect in some of the public courts. It is a result of years of noise complaints from the neighbors.
The whole thing has turned into a heated community issue over the “popping” sound of the paddle on the ball. The city council recently voted to draft a permanent ordinance after a temporary halt to games at Forest Hill Park.
California town puts a temporary ban on pickleball after complaints
Residents have told the council members that the temporary pause has brought a noticeable calm to the neighborhood. “It’s been so peaceful and quiet,” Carmel resident Kimberly Edwards said at the meeting. Councilmember Alissandra Dramov echoed concerns and said that the town must “accept the reality this is not a good location for pickleball.” (via SFGate)
Officials tried several fixes before banning pickleball due to noise complaints. The city experimented with limiting hours of play and suggested using quieter equipment. These gears included soft paddles and lower noise balls. However, these measures proved difficult to police.
Mayor Dale Byrne said, “Unfortunately, consistent enforcement proved impossible, and the topic continued to consume significant staff, commission, and Council time. As I said at the meeting, it’s disappointing that we couldn’t find a solution that balanced everyone’s interests. We fully recognize the health benefits and joy that pickleball provides. However, those benefits must be weighed against the peace and quiet of the surrounding neighborhood, something that remains a core priority for our village.” (via ABC News)
Currently, authorities will warn anyone using the banned pickleball courts and educate them on the matter. Next steps include a city council vote for a permanent ban. The players will also have a chance to push back against the decision.
