Cupertino adopts new pickleball court hours

Cupertino is moving ahead with a pilot that shortens free drop-in pickleball hours at Memorial Park after months of complaints from nearby residents about court noise. A Parks and Recreation memo dated April 30 said the city will test a schedule that limits play to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and closes the courts to pickleball on Mondays. The pilot is set to run from July 7, 2026, through Feb. 7, 2027, according to the memo. City staff said the change is meant to address noise and other concerns while keeping public access to the courts in place. ### Which courts are affected, and what exactly changes? Memorial Park is the site named in Cupertino’s April 30 memo. The document describes the change as a trial for the “publicly accessible pickleball courts in Memorial Park,” rather than a citywide shutdown or a permanent rule. (cupertino.gov) The new schedule would replace the broader access players have had at Memorial Park. San Jose Spotlight, citing the city memo, reported that free drop-in pickleball would be limited to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday, with no pickleball on Mondays during the trial period. ### Why did Cupertino change the hours? (cupertino.gov) Rachelle Sander, Cupertino’s director of Parks and Recreation, said in the April 30 memo that staff was recommending the trial “to alleviate noise and other concerns related to court use.” The same memo said the proposal includes three parts: reduced hours, no play one day a week and a request for quiet pickleball equipment at all times. (sanjosespotlight.com) Cupertino had already been trying quieter-equipment measures before moving to the new hours trial. In a city notice published July 22, 2025, the city said players would be asked to use USA Pickleball-certified quiet paddles and balls from dawn to 9 a.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. daily. A city Q&A said the goal was to reduce noise during sensitive hours, “especially in areas near homes.” (cupertino.gov) ### Is the city banning pickleball? Cupertino’s own documents say no. The city’s July 2025 Q&A said Cupertino “continues to support pickleball,” and said the Memorial Park Specific Plan includes pickleball courts in potential future park improvements. (cupertino.gov) The April 30 memo also stops short of proposing fees or reservation-only access for Memorial Park’s public courts. Staff said Cupertino has historically prioritized free, first-come, first-served access to public parks and sports courts, including pickleball, and recommended continuing that approach even as it tests limits on hours. (cupertino.gov) ### What have players and residents said? San Jose Spotlight reported that the dispute has split nearby residents and players over how much access should be reduced and whether sound barriers would be a better answer. The outlet reported that one nearby homeowner said the noise runs “seven days a week” from early morning to night, while players and supporters have pushed back on tighter restrictions. (cupertino.gov) Public opposition has also surfaced in community channels. Cupertino Matters, a local civic group site, said the restrictions would eliminate Monday play and reduce daily access from about 15 hours to 10 hours, which it described as a substantial cut for players. That characterization is from the group, not the city. (sanjosespotlight.com) ### What happens next, and where can residents check the rules? July 7, 2026, is the start date listed for the Memorial Park pickleball pilot, and Feb. 7, 2027, is the end date in the city memo. Staff said the length of the trial is intended to let Cupertino evaluate court use, hours and neighborhood feedback across different seasons and daylight conditions. (cupertinomatters.org) Cupertino’s Athletic Fields and Courts page says the city is trying to reduce noise during early morning and evening hours and directs residents to posted schedules for availability. The city’s meetings page also lists City Council sessions on May 19, May 20 and June 2, where residents can track upcoming city business. (cupertino.gov) (cupertino.gov)