Pickleball is a rapidly growing sport that has gained exponential popularity in recent years. The racket sport uses smaller courts and is generally easier for beginners to learn, which has led to its popularity with people of all ages. While the sport is quickly expanding, some people aren’t fans.
In Carmel, a coastal town with a charming downtown that attracts many tourists, some residents want to ban the sport altogether. The Carmel City Council had temporarily banned pickleball on the area’s only public court due to noise complaints from neighbors. Residents neighboring the courts had complained of the noise from the pickleball paddles, and now, after the temporary ban, it looks like the city council may make it permanent. The town is known for its many affluent residents and its close proximity to Big Sur, which draws tourists from around the world.
The ban only applies to the public court, Forrest Hill Park, but being the only public court in the area, it effectively bans the sport. This isn’t the first time a pickleball court has caused complaints from its neighbors. Residents in San Francisco have also complained about noise from the courts due to the sound of the paddle. While noise complaints have arisen in San Francisco as well, Carmel could be the first city to actually ban the sport from their public courts.
Despite the noise complaints, pickleball remains a popular sport, with newly added courts in the city frequently booked by players of all ages. San Francisco has multiple public courts available for free reservations in neighborhoods across the city, including Golden Gate Park, Noe Valley, Buena Vista, and more.he city has also seen the addition of facilities for a similar racket sport, paddle, which combines elements of pickleball and tennis, and is another rapidly growing sport.