La Rinconada Park Pickleball Renovation: Los Gatos officials have announced a $90,000 plan to address ongoing noise complaints and vandalism tied to pickleball courts at La Rinconada Park. The renovation project, starting in October and ending in December, will resurface the courts, add sound barriers, repair vandalized areas, install cameras, and place a locking gate.
Years of Conflict
The renovations come after years of tension between players and neighbors. The conflict escalated when two of the four courts were vandalized with oil, leaving them unusable. Town officials said there have been four reports of vandalism in the past year, raising concerns about safety and hostility.
Voices from the Courts
Philip de Louraille, a regular player, said the changes should help limit after-hours use and reduce loud sounds. He was troubled by the vandalism but open to noise reduction steps. “It’s important that we all work together because (residents) shouldn’t leave (because of the noise). They shouldn’t sell their houses because we have pickleball courts.”
A nearby homeowner, who asked not to be named, said they were threatened after the vandalism. They claimed a man warned them that if more oil was spilled, the houses on the street would face problems. The homeowner reported the threat to police and expressed frustration over the noise, saying the sound inside their home reached about 80 decibels. “The players are not really hearing (me), and the town, to me, is trying to contain the problem. The right solution is spreading the traffic to multiple courts, but (the town is) afraid that they’re gonna deal with two problems, three problems.”
Town Priorities
Despite suggestions to add more courts elsewhere, Los Gatos is not expanding facilities beyond La Rinconada Park. These four courts are the only free public courts in town, while other courts at the Addison-Penzak Jewish Community Center require payment. Town officials said the renovation will use most of the pickleball budget and must focus on repairing current issues.
Parks and Sustainability Commissioner Craig Gleason stressed the need for shared responsibility. “We hear a lot about bad apples, whether it’s somebody vandalizing a court or somebody threatening somebody, whatever it might be. I think it’s very easy to say, ‘I don’t know who that is. I can’t control that person.’ But I think the community does actually have a huge influence on the way the community acts as a whole.”
Noise Beyond Los Gatos
Other West Valley cities are facing similar disputes. In Cupertino, neighbors near Memorial Park courts have pushed for noise control, and signs now encourage players to use quieter paddles during early or late hours. In Mountain View, residents are protesting the idea of turning Cuesta Park into pickleball courts.
Doug Thompson, who has played at Cupertino’s courts for two years, said moving courts away from homes is the best option. “We don’t want to have people anxious, or it stresses them out, hearing that noise. But also we want to have a vibrant park where physical activity, laughter, noise and revelry happen every day.”
Looking Ahead
The Los Gatos renovations are meant to calm tensions and rebuild trust between players and residents. While challenges remain, the project shows the town’s effort to balance recreation and neighborhood peace. The outcome may also shape how other cities address similar disputes in the future.
News in Brief: La Rinconada Park Pickleball Renovation
Los Gatos will spend $90,000 to renovate pickleball courts at La Rinconada Park after noise complaints and vandalism. The project includes sound barriers, resurfacing, cameras, and a locking gate. Some residents remain skeptical, while players welcome improvements. Renovations begin in October and end in December, aiming to ease community tensions.
ALSO READ: Fredericton Set for First Indoor Pickleball Courts—Game-Changer for Winter Play