First published in the Aug. 25 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
I have written two letters in favor of pickleball courts before to the City Council. I have talked about what an amazing sport it has been for me and my family and how it’s such a great community builder because people play together and really get to know each other — it’s as much about finding out how Bill’s granddaughter’s wedding went, and how Linda’s new knee is working out, as it is about exercise.
But after seeing the council meeting video and the way that the people living around Mayor’s Park reacted to the pickleball courts going in, I am nothing but outraged and disgusted. To wage an overly dramatic and ridiculous war against the most harmless positive physical activity in a park is nothing short of mean. It’s sad that we can’t think beyond ourselves just a little bit and think we have the right to declare that people not use the parks in this manner. I’m sure it would be slightly better for these people if no one ever used the park like they do now — then it would be like free property for them. But it’s not, it’s ours, and we’re not lighting off firecrackers. We’re playing a mild game with retired people and a whiffle ball. You should be ashamed of yourselves.
Susan Gibson
La Cañada Flintridge
