Pickleball is now being played on three courts on the weekend and the crowd I witnessed was huge in relation to the use of the seven tennis courts directly across the street.
What I found interesting and annoying after speaking with a few other players and experiencing the situation myself was having to walk outside the court, down some stairs, along a walkway of some 300 feet, and back up another set of stairs to access another court!
In speaking with a couple of ambassadors for the activity, they said the limited amount of available courts was a decision made by a well-intended employee of the district but put into play by a city administrator without any discussion, assessment, or debate. The explanation was “child safety” or “student-centered.” No proof of activity was offered and of course school is not in session during the weekend, on vacations, or during the summer months.
Further the court layout for tennis and pickleball is the same except different measurements apply. The reality of the situation is that the pickleball players, who number over 300 players each week, are being treated unfairly.
Our city leaders, whether on the School Board or City Council, would not accept this treatment if they were pickleball players.
Alan Mayer
La Cañada Flintridge
First published in the December 7 print issue of the Outlook Valley Sun.
