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CC 04-03-2024 Item No. 9 Memorial Park_Written CommunicationsCC 04-03-2024 Item #9 Memorial Park Specific Plan Design Written Communications From:A Wu To:City Clerk Subject:News Article on Mercury News about Pickleball in Cupertino and the Memorial Park Revitalization Plan Date:Tuesday, April 2, 2024 3:29:11 PM Attachments:2024-04-01 Mercury News.pdf 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 City Clerk, Would you forward the following email to all Coucilmembers. This is relevant to a group of the pickleball community speaking about Item 9 in the April 3 City Council meeting. Thank you! - Albert Wu ——————— Dear Councilmembers, Mercury News has recently interviewed the Cupertino Memorial Park pickleball community, and an article was published a day ago. I believe Mercury News will follow up on the April 3 Council Meeting and continue reporting the story. The link to the article is https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/04/01/cupertino-to-deliberate-adding-pickleball-courts- to-memorial-park-re-design/ The text is as follows: Cupertino to deliberate adding pickleball courts to Memorial Park re-design By Stephanie Lam PUBLISHED: April 1, 2024 at 3:51 p.m. UPDATED: April 2, 2024 at 4:35 a.m. The Cupertino City Council will deliberate Wednesday whether to approve a re-design of Memorial Park that includes eight long-desired pickleball courts, part of an ongoing plan to improve the area’s amenities. Located along Stevens Creek Boulevard just east of Highway 85, two of the six tennis courts at Memorial Park are reserved for pickleball under the city’s trial program. Although the courts are small, locals say the sport is so popular that more than 80 players can be seen playing and queuing at a time. They are urging the council to approve the design, which includes a designated pickleball court area located in the southeast corner of the park. “Pickleball is that sport which binds a community,” local player Catherine Chiu said in a statement, “and is one that this City Council would want to nurture.” Currently, only one court is striped for pickleball, and players need to bring their own striping and nets for the other. Determined to make the court and equipment accessible for all, a group of players even launched a GoFundMe in December 2023 to raise money for painter’s tape, four nets and other items for public use. “If there’s one word to summarize the pickleball experience at (Memorial Park), it is joy,” Chiu said. “We feel joy of the sport on the courts, and joy among new-found friends off the courts.” The re-design of Memorial Park is part of a wider city plan to improve the infrastructure and accessibility within the park. The total project cost to to revitalize the park is estimated to be approximately $83 million. Online surveys, community webinars and interviews were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to determine what the new design should include. Popular amenities include multi-use pathways, bike-friendly access points, expanded picnic areas, nature and inclusive playgrounds and dedicated pickleball courts. “We did a good deal of public outreach over the last couple of years,” said Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager in Cupertino. ” We had over 3,000 people respond and give us their opinions about what they wanted. The pickleball community definitely spoke up, and the pickleball courts are already quite well used. That’s why we put it in the design.” Requests to add designated pickleball courts in city spaces have been widespread in California, especially in the Bay Area. With more than 700 places to play, California has more pickleball courts then any other state. California will need to build 3,748 courts at a projected cost of $131.2 million to keep up with demand over the next five to seven years, according to a 2023 Sports & Fitness Industry Association report. In the Bay Area, new courts have been established in dozens of cities, including nearby Los Gatos and Sunnyvale. Milpitas is considering making its temporary courts permanent, a move that has been met with enthusiasm from players and resistance by some locals. Memorial isn’t the only city park getting an upgrade. Nearby Jollyman Park will be the site of Cupertino’s first all-inclusive playground, which is slated to start construction this summer. The play area will addresses the needs of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as medically fragile people. © 2024 The Mercury News ——————- I am attaching a PDF file of the article to this e-mail. I am one of the organizers of the Cupertino Pickleball Club, which has over 470 menbers as of today. We do hope very much that the City Council will approve the revitalization plan that includes eight dedicated pickleball courts. Refinement of the design can be done with inputs from the community. We thank you all. Sincerely, Albert Wu albertwu38@gmail.com https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/04/01/cupertino-to-deliberate-adding-pickleball-courts- to-memorial-park-re-design/ Cupertino to deliberate adding pickleball courts to Memorial Park re-design By Stephanie Lam PUBLISHED: April 1, 2024 at 3:51 p.m. | UPDATED: April 2, 2024 at 4:35 a.m. The Cupertino City Council will deliberate Wednesday whether to approve a re-design of Memorial Park that includes eight long-desired pickleball courts, part of an ongoing plan to improve the area’s amenities. Located along Stevens Creek Boulevard just east of Highway 85, two of the six tennis courts at Memorial Park are reserved for pickleball under the city’s trial program. Although the courts are small, locals say the sport is so popular that more than 80 players can be seen playing and queuing at a time. They are urging the council to approve the design, which includes a designated pickleball court area located in the southeast corner of the park. “Pickleball is that sport which binds a community,” local player Catherine Chiu said in a statement, “and is one that this City Council would want to nurture.” Currently, only one court is striped for pickleball, and players need to bring their own striping and nets for the other. Determined to make the court and equipment accessible for all, a group of players even launched a GoFundMe in December 2023 to raise money for painter’s tape, four nets and other items for public use. “If there’s one word to summarize the pickleball experience at (Memorial Park), it is joy,” Chiu said. “We feel joy of the sport on the courts, and joy among new-found friends off the courts.” The re-design of Memorial Park is part of a wider city plan to improve the infrastructure and accessibility within the park. The total project cost to to revitalize the park is estimated to be approximately $83 million. Online surveys, community webinars and interviews were conducted in 2022 and 2023 to determine what the new design should include. Popular amenities include multi-use pathways, bike-friendly access points, expanded picnic areas, nature and inclusive playgrounds and dedicated pickleball courts. “We did a good deal of public outreach over the last couple of years,” said Susan Michael, Capital Improvement Programs Manager in Cupertino. ” We had over 3,000 people respond and give us their opinions about what they wanted. The pickleball community definitely spoke up, and the pickleball courts are already quite well used. That’s why we put it in the design.” Requests to add designated pickleball courts in city spaces have been widespread in California, especially in the Bay Area. With more than 700 places to play, California has more pickleball courts then any other state. California will need to build 3,748 courts at a projected cost of $131.2 million to keep up with demand over the next five to seven years, according to a 2023 Sports & Fitness Industry Association report. In the Bay Area, new courts have been established in dozens of cities, including nearby Los Gatos and Sunnyvale. Milpitas is considering making its temporary courts permanent, a move that has been met with enthusiasm from players and resistance by some locals. Memorial isn’t the only city park getting an upgrade. Nearby Jollyman Park will be the site of Cupertino’s first all-inclusive playground, which is slated to start construction this summer. The play area will addresses the needs of all ages and abilities, including those with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory challenges, visual and auditory impairments, cognitive, developmental and physical disabilities, as well as medically fragile people. © 2024 The Mercury News From:SUZANNE ABECKET To:City Clerk Subject:Please post to the City"s website re Apr 3 Council Meeting Date:Tuesday, April 2, 2024 2:25:21 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 Cupertino City Council Members, As a concerned homeowner of The Commons of Cupertino, I am writing to express my strong opposition to the proposal to install 8 pickleball courts and additional parking along Anton Way in Memorial Park. This project would have severe negative consequences for our residential community, the Park itself, and the Cty's commitment to environmental stewardship. Key concerns: 1. Significant noise pollution: Pickleball generates high-decibel noise, with paddles registering between 1,100-1,200 hertz and reaching a near-harmful range of 85+ decibels when striking the ball. This noise level is comparable to an alarm clock or vacuum cleaner, and prolonged exposure can lead to hearing damage and other health issues. The increased noise from players, car doors, and traffic would significantly disrupt our neighborhood's peace and quiet. 2. Close proximity to homes: The proposed courts and parking are located in close proximity to our homes, amplifying the noise and traffic issues. Court lighting would also be intrusive. This infringement on our right to peaceful enjoyment of our property is unacceptable and could lead to decreased property values and a lower quality of life. 3. Lack of community outreach: The city failed to engage our community in discussing the potential problems or exploring alternative options. This lack of transparency and communication demonstrates a disregard for the concerns and well-being of local residents. 4. Inconsistency with resident preferences: Past surveys (2016 and 2017) have consistently shown that Cupertino residents prioritize access to natural open spaces and park trails. The 2020 Parks and Recreation System Master Plan also emphasizes preserving natural habitats and creating environments that foster social cohesiveness. Installing pickleball courts contradicts these preferences and goals, signaling a lack of commitment to the wishes of Cupertino residents. 5. Environmental impact: Converting green spaces into concrete courts would be detrimental to the environment, contributing to urban heat island effects, reduced biodiversity, and increased stormwater runoff. This contradicts the city's stated goal of achieving a balance between built and natural environments in the park and its overall commitment to environmental sustainability. 6. Fairness and equity: It is unjust to prioritize the interests of a small group of people (pickleball players, compared to the total Cupertino population), over the wishes of the majority of Cupertino residents who value the park's serene setting and natural beauty. The city should strive to make decisions that benefit the entire community, not just a select few. Furthermore, numerous cities across the United States have faced similar issues with pickleball noise disrupting residential communities. In some cases, homeowners have resorted to legal action to protect their rights and quality of life. By moving forward with this proposal, the City of Cupertino risks exposing itself to potential lawsuits and damaging its reputation as a community that values its residents' well-being. I urge you to reconsider this proposal and explore alternative locations for pickleball courts that would not have such a profound negative impact on our community and Memorial Park. Please prioritize the preferences, health, and well-being of Cupertino residents by preserving the park's natural environment and tranquility. Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. Suzanne a’Becket, Cupertino, CA 95014 From: ab.zannie@gmail.com <ab.zannie@gmail.com> Sent: Monday, April 1, 2024 2:14 PM To: Sheila Mohan <smohan@cupertino.gov>; Hung Wei <hwei@cupertino.org>; J.R. Fruen <jrfruen@cupertino.gov>; Kitty Moore <kmoore@cupertino.gov>; Liang Chao <lchao@cupertino.gov>; Chad Mosley <chadm@cupertino.org>; Rachelle Sander <rachelles@cupertino.org> Subject: FYI RE APRIL 3 AND PICKLEBALL PROBLEMS 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. Pickleball noise is fueling neighborhood drama from coast ... Los Angeles Times https://www.latimes.com › california › story › picklebal... Mar 3, 2022 — Researchers have shown that the sound of a solid pickleball paddle hitting one of the sport's hard plastic wiffleball-like balls can be more ... Homeowners are increasingly taking legal action over ... KPBS https://www.kpbs.org › quality-of-life › 2023/09/05 › h... Sep 5, 2023 — Pickleball noise is pitting homeowners against players, and some disputes are winding up in court. The real pickleball wars are off the court New York Post https://nypost.com › pickleball-creates-headaches-lawsuits Oct 20, 2023 — Various communities across the US are grappling with noise complaints, sparking disputes and even lawsuits. Some residents are fed up with the ... EXCLUSIVE: More residents are threatening legal action because of pickleball noise | ARLnow.com : r/law - Reddi Reddit - Dive into anything From: Nori N <noriko.y@sbcglobal.net> Sent: Wednesday, March 27, 2024 3:02 PM To: Sheila Mohan <smohan@cupertino.gov>; J.R. Fruen <jrfruen@cupertino.gov>; Liang Chao <lchao@cupertino.gov>; Kitty Moore <kmoore@cupertino.gov>; Hung Wei <hwei@cupertino.org>; Chad Mosley <ChadM@cupertino.org>; Susan Michael <susanm@cupertino.org>; Rachelle Sander <RachelleS@cupertino.org> Subject: URGNT: Please stay Pickleball courts where they are now. Not to move to Anton 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. Hi Mayor Mohan, Vice Mayor Fruen, Councilmember Chao, Councilmember Moore, Councilmember Wei, Public Works Director Mosley, CIA Manager Michael, and Park and Recreation Director Sander, We, residents in the Commons next to the Memorial Park are devastated and very concerned the news of placing 8 pickleball courts next to our complex on Anton Way. Anton Way is narrow road. The high pitch loud noise impact many people, not only pickleball noise, but also loud shouting players' sound. Hearing the noise all day may cause hearing and health problem. The current tennis court is the ideal location away from the playground, Amphitheater, Passive Garden Walk or Veterans Memorial. I talked to pickleball members. They are happy where they are now. They can sit at bleachers area and watch other games and chat as the social gathering. They want City to allow 2 tennis courts to be designated Pickleball courts. I walk Memorial park everyday. Tennis courts are often not fully used. 1 or 2 courts are often empty. In fact, all tennis courts were empty this afternoon. Only pickleball players were playing. So, it is the best location for pickleball players continue to use 2 tennis courts. They are happy where they are now. In addition, City can save $1,200,000. Pease leave the pickleball courts where they are now and allow those 2 courts to be designated for Pickleball. City also save $1,200,000. Please kindly consider us, residents in the Commons complex. Regards, Nori