HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 11c - Establishing Park Regulations for Fields, Tennis Courts, and Pickleball CourtsSTAFF REPORT
RECREATION AND COMMUNITY SERVICES DEPARTMENT
DATE: July 15, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
FROM: Sara Somogyi, Recreation and Community Services Director
By: Ashley Marston, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: RESOLUTION NO. 7643 ESTABLISHING PARK REGULATIONS FOR THE
USE OF FIELDS, TENNIS COURTS, AND PICKLEBALL COURTS
CEQA: Not a Project
Recommendation: Adopt
SUMMARY
The Recreation and Community Services and Police Departments have reported
various problems concerning activity on City fields, tennis courts, and pickleball
courts. Establishing regulations for fields, tennis courts, and pickleball courts through
the adoption of Resolution No. 7643, will provide the City with the means to better
manage any improper usage. Current regulations are only applicable to tennis
courts; by expanding the definition to include fields and pickleball courts, the City can
provide effective enforcement and meet the intent of the regulations. It is
recommended that the City Council adopt Resolution No. 7643 establishing park
regulations for the use of fields, tennis courts, and pickleball courts.
BACKGROUND
In 1988, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 5433, establishing park regulations
for the use of tennis courts. These regulations were intended to maintain peace
amongst users, protect the original purpose of the courts, and to reduce the
likelihood of property damage. Since 1988, the City has converted several tennis
courts to also allow for pickleball use, which is not listed specifically in Resolution No.
5433. Because fields and pickleball courts do not have specific park regulations
Resolution No. 7643 Park Regulations for Fields,
Tennis Courts, and Pickleball Courts
July 15, 2025
Page 2 of 3
established by resolution, use violations are challenging to enforce under the Arcadia
Municipal Code.
Section 4410.3 of the Arcadia Municipal Code provides that the violation of any
regulations adopted by resolution of the City Council shall constitute a violation of
the Arcadia Municipal Code. Violations of the Arcadia Municipal Code are subject to
penalties as outlined in Section 1200.
DISCUSSION
The proposed resolution is in response to the rising number of issues occurring on
City fields, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. The most frequent issues include the
refusal to vacate fields for the City and its authorized programs, the unauthorized
scheduling of courts, and the use of prohibited items on fields and courts. These
issues have resulted in an increase in complaints received by the Recreation and
Community Services Department and the Police Department. While many of these
complaints concern individuals violating posted rules, these rules are not easily
enforceable under the Arcadia Municipal Code due to the lack of a clear resolution.
Without enforceable regulations, the City is without the proper tools to uphold
posted rules or discourage repeat incidences.
Adoption of Resolution No. 7643 will establish enforceable regulations for the use of
fields, tennis courts, and pickleball courts. Regulations for fields include rules for both
grass and synthetic turf, including provisions regarding relinquishing fields for the
City and City-authorized activities, the prohibition of motorized vehicles, bicycles, and
wheeled toys, and a list of additional items not allowed on fields. Regulations for
tennis and pickleball courts include the prohibition of reserving courts without City
approval, the clarification of City priority usage, limits for game play if others are
waiting, and a list of items not allowed on courts. These regulations clarify priority
usage, promote equal opportunity, and protect park amenities from damage. The
Resolution will provide the City with the means to better regulate park usage,
thereby, preserving peace and maintaining the quality of City parks. Resolution No.
7643 will supersede all previous resolutions pertaining to tennis court regulations,
including Resolution No. 5433.
Resolution No. 7643 Park Regulations for Fields,
Tennis Courts, and Pickleball Courts
July 15, 2025
Page 3 of 3
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS
The proposed action does not constitute a project under the California
Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”), as it can be seen with certainty that it will have
no impact on the environment.
FISCAL IMPACT
The recommended action has no fiscal impact on the General Fund.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommended that the City Council determine that this action does not
constitute a project under the California Environmental Quality Act (“CEQA”); and
adopt Resolution No. 7643 establishing park regulations for the use of fields, tennis
courts, and pickleball courts.
Attachment: Resolution No. 7643
RESOLUTION NO. 7643
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA,
CALIFORNIA, ESTABLISHING PARK REGULATIONS FOR THE USE OF
FIELDS, TENNIS COURTS, AND PICKLEBALL COURTS
WHEREAS, Section 4410.3 of the Arcadia Municipal Code provides that the
violation of any regulations adopted by Resolution of the City Council shall constitute
a violation of the Arcadia Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, Section 1200 of the Arcadia Municipal Code provides penalties for
violations of the Arcadia Municipal Code; and
WHEREAS, the Recreation and Community Services Department and Police
Department have reported various problems concerning activity on City fields, tennis
courts, and pickleball courts; and
WHEREAS, the City has converted several tennis courts for the dual purpose of
pickleball and is in the process of constructing dedicated pickleball courts; and
WHEREAS, the City needs means to regulate and manage the usage of fields,
tennis courts, and pickleball courts to preserve peace and maintain the quality of City
parks; and
WHEREAS, this Resolution supersedes all previous resolutions pertaining to
tennis court regulations, including Resolution No. 5433.
NOW THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ARCADIA, CALIFORNIA,
DOES HEREBY FIND, DETERMINE AND RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS:
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SECTION 1. The following rules and regulations are hereby adopted
pursuant to Arcadia Municipal Code Section 4410.3:
Regulations for Tennis and Pickleball Courts:
1. City and City authorized activities have priority over all other court use.
Courts must be relinquished for City and City authorized activities.
2. Courts are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
3. United States Tennis Association (“USTA”) and USA Pickleball Association
(“USAPA”) rules and etiquette apply.
4. When others are waiting for a court, usage is limited to:
a. Three-minute warm-ups.
b. Tennis:
i. One set for singles/two sets for doubles or 30-minute rally.
ii. 6-all will be determined by one additional game.
c. Pickleball:
i. One game or 30-minute rally.
ii. Games shall be to 11 points, win by 2.
5. Courts may not be used for tournaments, reserved, or scheduled
without the written consent of the City.
6. Unauthorized professional instruction is prohibited.
7. Removal or tampering with nets is prohibited.
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8. Only soft soled, athletic shoes are permitted.
9. Glass bottles or containers are prohibited.
10. Pets of any kind are prohibited.
11. Good neighbor etiquette, including lower noise levels, is always
required.
Regulations for All Fields:
1. City and City authorized activities have priority over all other field use. Fields
must be relinquished for City and City authorized activities.
2. Formal practices or games require a field reservation through the City.
3. Fields are available to the public on a first-come, first-served basis.
4. Unauthorized professional instruction is prohibited.
5. Glass bottles or containers are prohibited.
6. Pets of any kind are prohibited.
7. Motorized vehicles, bicycles, and wheeled toys are prohibited.
8. Golf is prohibited.
9. Canopies cannot be staked into grass. Canopies must be secured with
weights.
10. Good neighbor etiquette, including lower noise levels, is always required.
Additional Regulations for Synthetic Turf Fields:
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1. Food, beverages (other than water), sports drinks, gum, seeds, or nuts are
prohibited.
2. Metal cleats are prohibited. Only rubber cleats are allowed.
3. Chalk or field paint is prohibited.
4. Carts, umbrellas with spiked ends, or other spiked objects are prohibited.
5. Canopies and four legged chairs cannot be placed on synthetic turf.
Canopies and four legged chairs can only be placed on concrete. Canopies
must be secured with weights.
SECTION 2. The Resolution is effective upon its adoption by the City Council.
SECTION 3. The City Clerk shall certify to the adoption of this Resolution.
[SIGNATURES ON THE NEXT PAGE]
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Passed, approved and adopted this 15th day of July, 2025.
_____________________________
Mayor of the City of Arcadia
ATTEST:
City Clerk
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Michael J. Maurer
City Attorney