Martinez Closes Pickleball Courts One Year After Opening, Citing Noise and Parking Issues

Mayor Brianne Zorn said she was "pissed off." That four-word summation captured the mood at Martinez City Hall on March 18, when the City Council voted 4-0 to permanently shut down the eight pickleball courts at Hidden Valley Sports Courts, effective immediately. Vice Mayor Jay Howard was absent from the vote.

The decision followed a year of operational challenges, extensive neighborhood feedback, and a formal staff recommendation presented to the Council. The courts, converted from former tennis courts, had their ribbon-cutting ceremony in February 2025. They lasted roughly twelve months before the complaints proved insurmountable.

Neighbors consistently complained about noise, crowded street parking, and trash from gatherings in the area. The physical reality of the site made resolution difficult: a staff report notes that national research shows pickleball noise issues have been a problem in communities across the country, with some cities facing costly litigation from residents, and some cities have adopted standards of putting the courts at least 300 feet from homes, while Martinez's are located just 50 to 100 feet from some homes.

Nearby resident Lucas Shedd, who told the council he often had to shut his windows and play music to drown out the sound, put it plainly: "It's become almost like torture." Residents at the meeting also told stories of physical conflicts and drones hovering over their backyards.

One survey respondent was equally blunt: "I hate these pickleball courts. The noise level from the paddles striking the stupid plastic balls is way too loud."

Councilmember Debbie McKillop, who represents District 4, acknowledged the sport itself wasn't the problem. "We need to find the right place for pickleball playing," McKillop said. "Unfortunately, the site we have it at currently, at the park, is not the ideal site." Councilmember Satinder S. Malhi, for his part, quoted Abraham Lincoln.

Players pushed back. Brian Lim, who spoke at the meeting, defended the sport's broad appeal. "I think it's a very accessible sport. As you know, pickleball gets more and more popular every year. It's very easy to play, it's very family-friendly," Lim said.

Resident Ann Ji raised the financial stakes, noting the construction cost was not trivial. "Not only did this cost $1.5 million to build, what are you going to do with it? Demolishing it is also going to take some money. What are you going to build into this?" Ji asked. That $1.5 million figure reflects Ji's statement at the meeting; the city has not confirmed an official project cost in available records.

The closure leaves Martinez players without a single free, publicly accessible court in the city. There are 23 courts in nearby Concord, 10 in Walnut Creek, and four in Pleasant Hill.

The long-term repurposing of the former pickleball courts will be determined at a later date, incorporated into upcoming discussions related to the City's Capital Improvement Program and the Park System Master Plan update, both of which will include community engagement and Council review in the coming months. The city has also indicated it will explore other locations for future courts, though no site or timeline has been announced.