COMMUNITY & LIBRARY SERVICES COMMISSION
REQUEST FOR ACTION
SUBMITTED TO: MEMBERS OF COMMUNITY & LIBRARY SERVICES COMMISSION
SUBMITTED BY: Ashley Wysocki, Director of Community & Library Services
PREPARED BY: Kristen Martinez, Manager, Programs & Services
Subject:
title
Approval of Pickleball Rules at Edison Park
body
Statement of Issue:
There is a need to formally approve the pickleball rules at Edison Park pickleball courts.
Financial Impact:
Not Applicable
Recommended Action:
recommendation
Approve the paddle system pickleball rules for Edison Park pickleball courts.
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Alternative Action(s):
Do not approve the recommended action and direct staff accordingly.
Analysis:
Edison Park currently has seven temporary pickleball courts open for public use from 7am to dusk, Monday-Sunday. Rules consistent with Worthy Park pickleball courts, open play format, were established when the courts were completed at Edison Park in January 2024. The community expressed their desire to Edison Community Center staff in support of changing rules to be consistent with the paddle system at this location. In response to this desire to change rules, the Community & Library Services Department surveyed pickleball players at Edison Park for their input and feedback.
The pickleball survey was published on Tuesday, July 30, 2024. A QR code link to the survey was posted at the Edison pickleball courts and City staff put together an article with the survey link in the Surf City Weekly email blast. Responses were accepted for three weeks, ending the survey on Wednesday, August 7, 2024. Four playing options along with descriptions of rules were presented: open play, paddle system, challenge courts and a combination of styles (Attachment 1) Players were also asked if renting out the courts was desired.
We received 251 responses in total (Attachment 3). 21.51% of respondents were beginner players, 67.33% of respondents were Intermediate players, and 11.16% of respondents were advanced players. Out of those responses, 3.19% of respondents voted for the challenge courts, 14.74% voted for a combination of styles, 35.46% voted for open-play, and 46.61% voted for the paddle system. Participants were also asked if they would like the ability to rent out the courts, 65.74% did not want to rent the courts out.
The Community & Library Services Department would like to move forward with establishing the paddle system at Edison pickleball courts as 46.61% of respondents voted for this rules system.
If approved, the paddle system rules will be the following:
• Players will place their paddle in designated area to form a single queue for all courts. The paddles are stacked in the order they arrive.
• When a court becomes available, the next four paddles in line are used to form the next group of players.
• Games are played to 11 points, win by 2. When the game ends, the next group of players (as determined by the next four paddles in line) take the court. A warm-up period of 2 minutes is allowed before the next game starts.
• After finishing a game, players place their paddles back in the queue if they wish to play again. The paddles are placed at the end of the line to ensure everyone gets a fair turn.
• All players are expected to respect the paddle queue and wait their turn. Doubles play is encouraged and mandatory when others are waiting.
• The paddle system is designed to accommodate players of all levels, from beginners to advanced to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to play and improve their skills.
Environmental Status:
Not Applicable
Strategic Plan Goal:
Not Applicable
Attachment(s):
1. Pickleball Rules - Play Format Definitions
2. Edison Park Pickleball Court Map
3. Community Survey Results Summary
4. Pickleball Presentation