As pickleball gains popularity in Orange County, cities are examining how to provide courts without creating excessive noise or overspending. A 2024 review by Chapman University students, in partnership with Voice of OC, found approximately 220 public courts in the county, with plans to add dozens more across various cities.
Cities like Newport Beach and La Palma are expanding their pickleball facilities, while Laguna Beach grapples with noise complaints. At Lang Park, pickleball courts are adjacent to the Vista Aliso senior living community, leading to resident complaints about the noise. In response, the city council voted to require “quiet” pickleball paddles to reduce noise, according to Voice of OC. Alexis Braun, Laguna Beach Recreation Manager, noted that 200 quiet paddles have been sold to residents.
The noise issue remains contentious. Some residents, like Susana Cruciana, report health impacts from the noise, while others, such as Joanna Liddiard, argue that pickleball players have already compromised enough. Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi supports restoring court hours if quiet paddles resolve the noise problem.
Other cities are also responding to the demand for pickleball courts. Lake Forest is exploring new locations and restriping existing facilities to accommodate more courts. A public outreach survey showed strong support for adding pickleball lines to existing courts, as reported by Voice of OC. Meanwhile, cities like Mission Viejo and Costa Mesa are actively increasing their pickleball offerings to meet growing demand.
While some areas, like Laguna Woods and Aliso Viejo, lack pickleball courts due to space constraints, other cities are finding innovative solutions to expand access. As the sport continues to grow, balancing community needs and concerns remains a priority for local officials.
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