Cupertino takes steps to limit pickleball noise - San Jose Spotlight

"A pilot program has been approved to limit free drop-in pickleball play at Memorial Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and prohibits pickleball on Mondays from July 2026 through February 2027, according to a Cupertino Parks and Recreation memo. The program, which starts July 7, asks players to use quieter paddles and balls to reduce noise impacts on nearby residents. The city is also exploring building a sound wall."

""It's seven days a week, from 6 in the morning until 9 at night," one nearby homeowner, who requested anonymity due to privacy concerns, told San José Spotlight. "It has a specific noise. It's very different from tennis." The resident said the early morning games are the biggest concern. While daytime activity is tolerable, they said the repetitive popping sound from paddles hitting the ball can be heard inside their home despite double-pane windows."

"Cupertino resident Zoey Tran said the pickleball community at Memorial Park has helped her family feel connected after moving multiple times in recent years. Tran said the proposed restrictions could limit access for working professionals, families and older adults who rely on early morning or evening play to avoid heat and accommodate work schedules. "This has been truly a lifeline for my family," Tran told San José Spotlight. "We feel more rooted and grounded belonging to a community after moving around so much.""

Cupertino is addressing pickleball noise concerns tied to public space use, neighborhood impacts, and court access. A pilot program approved by Parks and Recreation limits free drop-in pickleball at Memorial Park from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and prohibits play on Mondays from July 2026 through February 2027. The program begins July 7 and asks players to use quieter paddles and balls to reduce noise. A sound wall is also being explored. Nearby residents report repetitive paddle-ball popping sounds that carry into homes, especially during early morning play. Some players and community members say the courts provide essential connection and access for families, older adults, and working professionals who rely on early or evening hours to avoid heat and fit schedules.

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