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HomeMy WebLinkAboutCC 05-05-2026 Oral CommunicationsCC 05-05-2026 Oral Communications Written Comments From:New Energy To:Liang Chao; Kitty Moore; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang; Rachelle Sander; Alex Corbalis, CPRP; Chad Mosley; Tina Kapoor; City Clerk; Public Comments Cc:Blanca Guerrero Subject:Concerns Regarding Memorial Park Pickleball Pilot Program Date:Monday, May 4, 2026 8:59:57 AM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Cupertino City Council Members, I am writing to express my concern regarding the recently circulated informational memo outlining the proposed Memorial Park Pickleball Pilot Program. While I appreciate the City’s effort to balance recreational access with neighborhood quality of life, I believe the proposed “trial” imposes excessive and unnecessary restrictions that do not reflect the current reality at Memorial Park. The Cupertino Pickleball Club (CPC) has already taken meaningful and proactive steps to address noise concerns. CPC has supported the City’s recommendation to use quiet equipment during early morning and late evening hours, and compliance has been strong. Nearly all early morning players (7 a.m. – 9 a.m.) now use quiet paddles and begin play on courts farthest from nearby homes. Additionally, CPC members have worked closely with Public Works to evaluate the structural integrity of existing fencing and explore viable noise mitigation solutions. We understand that plans are already underway to install additional support structures and noise-reducing screens. These efforts demonstrate a good-faith collaboration between the community and the City. Importantly, these measures have already had a positive impact. Nearby residents who previously raised concerns have expressed satisfaction with the progress, and noise complaints have subsided. Given this context, the proposed pilot program came as a surprise. The restrictions—limiting play to 9 a.m. – 7 p.m., banning pickleball entirely on Mondays, and requiring quiet equipment at all hours—feel disproportionate and unnecessarily heavy-handed. These rules would significantly reduce access without clear justification. I am also concerned about the lack of transparency in how this trial was developed. The memo does not outline clear objectives, success metrics, or criteria for evaluation. Without these, it is difficult to understand how the program’s effectiveness will be measured or whether it is appropriately designed. On a personal note, I play pickleball at Memorial Park regularly, and the community there has become an important part of my life. It is more than just a recreational activity—it is a place where people connect, support one another, and build meaningful relationships. I have met individuals from all walks of life who rely on this community: people dealing with stress, loneliness, health challenges, and personal loss. For many, pickleball provides not only physical activity but also companionship, joy, and a sense of belonging. Restricting access so significantly risks undermining something genuinely valuable to the community. I respectfully urge the City Council to reconsider the scope and structure of this pilot program. A more measured approach that would better serve both residents and park users, one that builds on the progress already made and includes clear goals, data-driven evaluation, and continued collaboration with stakeholders. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Bianca Guerrero From:DD To:Kitty Moore; Liang Chao; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang; Tina Kapoor; Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander; Public Comments Subject:Please help me understand Date:Saturday, May 2, 2026 10:48:45 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. City Council, Rachelle, What is the purpose of a city's Parks & Rec? I thought it's to promote physical and mental health to the people? I have been playing pickleball at Memorial Park daily for 3 years, many people call me "Mom" there. I have heard many stories of their lives: Vet's PTSD, loss of spouse / parents, loss of jobs, stress at jobs, dealing with special needs children or parents, dealing with our own health or our family member's health, some of us are cancer survivors. The list goes on and on. And with the current events in this country and around the world, pickleball is the single bright light in our lives that many look forward to each day. It's not a coincidence that pickleball started taking off during the pandemic. Yet with one email, one memo, one stern and unemotional message from P&R, you take all that away. Back on "trial", no pickleball on Mondays, before 9am, after 7pm... We have been working diligently with the City to mitigate issues with the neighbors, addressing concerns one after another. But now I'm wondering, are you working with us? Before you make any more decisions, and yes we know you have that power, please, PLEASE be a part of our community and truly understand our needs from within. It's not a difficult ask. Join us at Memorial Park for some fun games, laughter, and great company. You'll see why pickleball is so important to us and our physical AND mental health. Sincerely, Diana Yen From:Gigi Chu To:Kitty Moore; Liang Chao; Sheila Mohan; J.R. Fruen; R "Ray" Wang Cc:Tina Kapoor; Chad Mosley; Rachelle Sander; Public Comments Subject:RE: Opposition to Proposed Pickleball Restriction Trial (7/7/26 – 2/7/27) Date:Saturday, May 2, 2026 5:24:48 PM CAUTION: This email originated from outside of the organization. Do not click links or open attachments unless you recognize the sender and know the content is safe. Dear Mayor Moore and Council Members, I am writing to express my opposition to the six-month pickleball restriction trial scheduled to begin on July 7, 2026. While I appreciate the Council’s efforts to address residential concerns, the proposed terms—specifically the total ban on Monday play, the restricted 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM window, and the universal quiet equipment mandate—are excessive. Most concerning is that these restrictions are being pushed forward despite the city’s concurrent plans for sound attenuation infrastructure. Implementing such heavy-handed operational limits while physical noise-mitigation measures are still being finalized or installed is premature and contradictory. I urge the Council to consider the following: Infrastructure Over Restrictions: If sound attenuation (such as acoustic fencing) is still moving forward as planned, it should be given the opportunity to work before the city resorts to banning play on Mondays or cutting off evening hours for working residents. The Inequity of Monday Bans: Removing an entire day of access is a blunt instrument that forces more players into the remaining six days, creating overcrowding and heightened noise levels on other mornings. The Cost of Compliance: Requiring quiet equipment for all play periods places a sudden financial burden on the community. This requirement should, at the very least, be paused until the effectiveness of the promised sound attenuation can be properly measured. It is baffling to move forward with a restrictive "trial" that ignores the very physical solutions the city has already been exploring. I respectfully request that the Council delay this trial until the relevant department can confirm the status of the sound attenuation project. We should be solving noise issues with engineering, not by stripping away community recreation time. Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your service to our city. Thank you for your time and consideration. Sincerely, Gigi Chu