Pickleball FAQ's
1. What is pickleball?
Pickleball is one of the fastest-growing sports in the nation. It is a fun sport that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and ping pong. It can be played both indoors and outdoors on a badminton-sized court and a slightly modified tennis net. It is played with a paddle and a plastic ball with holes. It can also be played as doubles or singles, and can be enjoyed by all ages and skill levels.
2. Why is the city of Los Altos adjusting to shared-use courts?
As a popular recreational activity, the city of Los Altos is bringing outdoor opportunities to the Los Altos community. The Parks & Recreation department currently offers an indoor pickleball program at Egan Gym on Monday and Wednesday evenings. To gauge public interest in either establishing a long-term plan of sharing the use of the existing tennis courts (with pickleball lines painted over the tennis court lines) or dedicate space for pickleball only, separated from tennis, the city of Los Altos is adjusting specific tennis courts to be shared for tennis and pickleball use during a pilot program.
3. Where are shared-use courts being painted?
Shared-use courts are being installed at 2 tennis court locations as follows:
McKenzie Park: Tennis Courts #1 and #2 - Overlaid with 6 Pickleball Courts. Court lining date is scheduled for Friday, April 28.
Montclaire Park (On Hold): Tennis Courts #1 and #2 - Overlaid with 4 Pickleball Courts. Court lining date is TBD
View full court lining plan here.
4. How long will this pilot program be implemented?
An end date has not been determined for this pilot program. Each tennis court location will be evaluated individually to allow for customization of the program in each area.
5. What equipment will be provided?
Similar to tennis, pickleball nets will be provided. Community members shall bring their own paddles and balls.
6. Why were the number of courts to be installed and locations chosen?
A great deal of consideration was given to traffic and parking impacts. The larger concentration of pickleball courts were placed at park locations which had the parking capacity to handle the increase in activity.
7. What research was done to inform the planning process?
City staff researched the neighboring cities of Menlo Park, Cupertino, Mountain View, Palo Alto, and San Mateo to inform our plan, guidelines and priority use schedule.
8. Can I still play tennis?
Yes! Tennis will still be available to play as the courts will be shared for both tennis and pickleball. A priority schedule has been established to facilitate play for both sports.
9. What is the Priority Schedule for play?
McKenzie Park
- Pickleball: Mon/Wed/Fri/Sat | All Day
- Tennis: Tue/Thu/Sun | All Day
Montclaire Park (On Hold)
- Drop in, first come first serve basis for both tennis and pickleball
- Pickleball must start no earlier than 9 AM and must finish before 8 PM
City sponsored tennis lessons have court priority.
10. How many tennis courts will remain untouched?
All tennis courts at Marymeade Park and Rosita Park will remain untouched.
11. What type of community outreach was done?
Presentations were made to the Senior Commission on December 6, 2021, and the Parks & Recreation Commission on December 8, 2021, to gain public comments. In addition, we conducted multiple meetings with our participants of our indoor pickleball program, local community group representing 75+ residents currently members of and playing with the Palo Alto Pickleball Club, and our tennis instructors. This pilot program is part of our public outreach process to gain community input to shape next steps in either maintaining or adjusting shared-use, or informing the need for a dedicated space. Additional outreach is planned through social media, press releases and city website.
12. How do I provide comments or feedback on the program?
Please send all comments to LosAltosPickleball@losaltosca.gov.
13. When the pilot program is implemented, what factors will the city be measuring?
The city will be evaluating usage and noise impacts.
14. Where can I play indoor pickleball?
You can play indoor pickleball at Egan Gym on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM. Membership is required, however you may enroll for a 1 month free trial to try out the program.
