Ojai’s Pickleball Courts Are Back—But Only at ‘Dawn to Dusk’ Hours

Ojai’s Pickleball Courts Are Back: The Ojai Pickleball Act (Measure O), approved by city voters on November 5, is clear, Ojai City Hall can only be open from dawn to dusk. According to attorney Bradley Hertz, this ruling is the only way the city can meet the measure’s requirements and avoid legal consequences.

Bradley Hertz, the attorney representing proponents of Measure O, emphasized in a statement to the Ojai Valley News that if the city were to set hours for pickleball courts that were shorter than dawn to dusk, it would violate the law.

“In my view, that would subject the city to a lawsuit,”. “They would not be following the law.”(Bradley Hertz)

Hertz made these remarks just ahead of a special Ojai City Council meeting on December 17, where council members discussed the opening hours of the pickleball courts at Ojai City Hall. These courts are scheduled to reopen on December 20, 2024, after being closed for some time. A recent press release from Ojai’s Public Information Officer Kristy Rivera confirmed that the city’s Municipal Code requires the courts to operate from dawn to dusk under the new guidelines of Measure O.

Background on Measure O

Voters in Ojai approved Measure O to ensure that the pickleball courts on the City Hall campus would remain open for public use. The measure mandates that these courts be available to pickleball players, a growing group of enthusiasts who see the sport as a fun and accessible activity for all ages. The courts were previously closed, but with the passage of Measure O, their reopening became a priority.

The city’s Municipal Code § 4-3.508 outlines the operational hours for various recreational facilities, including the pickleball courts. Under this law, the courts will be open from dawn until dusk, with no exception for earlier or later hours. This decision aligns with the legal requirements of Measure O, which set specific guidelines to ensure that pickleball players have access to the courts for extended hours during the day.

Legal Concerns Over Hours of Operation

Before the City Council meeting, Bradley Hertz made it clear that reducing the hours for pickleball play would be a violation of Measure O. He argued that the city could face legal action if it were to establish hours different from the “dawn to dusk” rule specified by the measure.

The debate comes as the Ojai City Council explores options for balancing the needs of pickleball players with the concerns of residents. Some residents have voiced concerns about noise and the potential for courts to be used late into the evening. However, Measure O’s clear language makes it difficult for the council to restrict play beyond the legal limits of dawn to dusk.

During the December 17 meeting, Hertz was expected to speak via Zoom during the public comment period. He also submitted a letter to the council, which was made available for public viewing. In his letter, Hertz stressed that the city must comply with Measure O’s requirements, noting that failure to do so could lead to legal challenges.

Community Reaction and Next Steps

The city’s decision to follow the “dawn to dusk” rule is likely to have a broad impact on the local community. Pickleball players are eager to return to the courts after the closures, and many hope the reopening will provide an accessible recreational space for players of all skill levels. For enthusiasts of the sport, this decision means they will have consistent access to the courts, which is crucial for training and playing with others.

However, the city must also consider the concerns of residents who may be affected by increased activity around the courts. While the city has indicated it will follow the law by adhering to the Measure O hours, further discussions and possible adjustments could take place in the coming months. The City Council may need to address other issues, such as noise levels or how to accommodate everyone in the community who uses the city’s recreational spaces.

For now, it seems that the Ojai pickleball courts will remain open from dawn to dusk, as the law dictates. This decision is a win for pickleball players, but it also sets the stage for ongoing discussions about how to balance recreational activities with community concerns.

As the Ojai City Council works to implement Measure O, the future of pickleball in the city looks promising, with the sport expected to continue growing in popularity. The outcome of the December 17 meeting and any future changes to the hours of operation will likely shape the city’s recreational landscape for years to come.