In a picturesque corner of California, an unexpected battle has emerged among affluent residents, sparked by a surprising source: pickleball. The local council’s recent decision to ban this beloved sport due to noise complaints has ignited a heated debate.

Pickleball, hailed as the fastest-growing sport in the United States, has seen participation soar, as reported by the Pickleball Athletic Club. Over the past three years, the number of players has tripled, illustrating the game’s surging popularity nationwide.

Last year alone, the sport attracted 19.8 million participants, reflecting a remarkable 45.8 percent rise from the prior year and an astounding 311 percent increase since 2021. Yet, in a tranquil enclave of the Golden State, this surge in enthusiasm is generating more than just friendly competition; it’s creating a noise dilemma.

Carmel-by-the-Sea, a serene beach town on the Monterey Peninsula, is renowned for its enchanting cottages, vibrant art galleries, intriguing museums, and stunning surf spots. Amidst such idyllic surroundings, the clamor of pickleball has stirred a surprising discord among its well-heeled residents.

Carmel-by-the-Sea is a peaceful beach city on the Monterey Peninsula known for its fairytale cottages, art galleries, museums and scenic surf spots. 

But residents have erupted in an uncharacteristic rage over the did they say is being caused by the game. 

‘There’s gonna be a problem,’ Carmel resident Kimberly Edwards told the City Council meeting about the pickleball issue. 

Edwards was among those pushing for a ban on the Forest Hill Park courts due to the constant noise of paddles striking balls at all hours of the day in their residential area. 

Wealthy residents in the coastal California town of Carmel-by-the-Sea are at war over pickleball after their city moved to ban the popular activity due to noise complaints

Carmel-by-the-Sea (pictured) is a peaceful beach city on the Monterey Peninsula known for its fairytale cottages, art galleries, museums and scenic surf spots

‘If you want to try it with the quiet ball, I think it’s only fair to the players to give that a chance,’ competitive player Barbara Lang (pictured with a friend) told the city meeting

When the council suggested allowing pickleball players to use soft paddles only to limit the noise, Edwards pushed back further. 

‘These aren’t supervised courts. You know that,’ Edwards told the council meeting attended by SFGate. 

‘They’re not — there’s no parks and rec department. So as I addressed in my letter: Who’s going to enforce this?

‘Am I going to have to hear a noise and then call the police? Is a police officer going to have to be, you know, sitting there on these courts, supervising them?

‘It’s an unrealistic proposition.’

Edwards then appealed to the city council directly. ‘You guys are all in this position to protect us,’ she said. 

‘That’s your No. 1 goal. That’s what your job is — not to placate these pickleball enthusiasts.’ 

‘Pickleball needs to adopt quiet balls! The noise is obnoxious,’ another local anti-pickleball campaigner wrote on Facebook as several more people agreed.  

But the pickleball enthusiasts aren’t ready to hang up their paddles without a fight. 

‘If you want to try it with the quiet ball, I think it’s only fair to the players to give that a chance,’ competitive player Barbara Lang told the city meeting. 

Pickleball has been banned on the Forest Hill Park courts in Carmel-by-the-Sea due to the constant noise of paddles striking balls at all hours of the day in their residential area

Carmel-by-the-Sea (pictured) is a peaceful beach city on the Monterey Peninsula known for its fairytale cottages, art galleries, museums and scenic surf spots

The former New Yorker then compared her determination to oppose the ban to that of a guard dog protecting its territory.  

‘I just keep coming back because I guess I’m like a pit bull. I just kind of have that New York staying power,’ she said. 

However, the city council sided with the anti-pickleball residents, saying they would not be able to monitor the ‘quiet racket’ compromise. 

‘We’re just overcomplicating it in the name of compromise,’ council member Alissandra Dramov said. 

She added that Carmel locals just have to ‘accept the reality this is not a good location for pickleball.’ 

However, local pickleballers have indicated that they’re not giving up the fight. 

Christie L Italiano Thomas wrote in a letter published on Facebook about how the sport has provided essential social bonding time for the older community in Carmel. 

‘Pickleball is more than just a sport. It’s community at its best,’ said Thomas, who is a local physiotherapist.

‘One of our widowed players once said, “Pickleball saved my life.” 

‘And that’s because no matter what you’re going through, you can show up on any given day, pick up your paddle, and find yourself surrounded by friends — to talk, to laugh, or simply to play — and remember that you’re not alone.’