Support of Mountain View pickleball courts
Pickleball’s surging popularity is no accident – it offers remarkable physical, mental and social benefits for all ages, from elementary school kids to seniors. Equipment is inexpensive, and our surveys show Mountain View players enjoy the game an average of three times a week, improving health and fostering community connections. Unlike many sports, players can drop in and join a game without prior arrangements – making it a fun antidote to isolation.
After reviewing 60 potential sites, the city has narrowed the options to three, including Cuesta Park and the Cuesta Annex. Concerns about “paving over open space” overlook the numbers: together, Cuesta Park and Annex span 37.8 acres. Even 12 courts would use only about 0.75 acres – less than 2% of the total area for the two pickleball options in Cuesta Park.
Noise is another concern, but other communities have mitigated the sound by putting sound barriers on the fence, limiting the hours of play and providing an adequate buffer between the pickleball courts and residences. All or most of these mitigation measures can be employed in the three pickleball location options being studied.
For over 10 years, local advocates have worked toward dedicated courts. Some tennis courts have been striped for shared use, but demand for both sports has grown, and sharing is no longer enough. Mountain View has the chance to meet a real community need with a thoughtful, balanced solution.
Cliff Chambers
Mountain View
Downtown park faces community backlash
I read with interest “City cites lots of public feedback on proposed downtown Los Altos park” on Aug. 27. I attended the Aug. 28 meeting at the community center and the majority of the audience was not in favor of a park. Residents agreed that this issue should be voted upon.
Speakers said that they would avoid our downtown village for the three years of construction. Speakers felt that in lieu park fees could be better used – such as developing a shared city pool for summer use, or building a new park near the recently completed housing on the El Camino, where there is a dearth of open space. (Former schools were closed in the 1970s, and school playgrounds serving as quasi parks, like Portola School, were lost to housing.)
The notion of this project being steamrolled was mentioned. Tens of thousands of dollars have been spent on consultants thus far. From two separate city staffers on two different occasions I was told, “We live in a republic, and thusly we have voted to let council make decisions.” Was this statement scripted?
A downtown park is an enormous change and upheaval to both residents and businesses of Los Altos. Within one mile, our village is blessed by acres of parkland. In my opinion, the council should have clear support from residents before changing the character of our town. We need to vote.
“It is never wrong to do the right thing.” (Mark Twain)
Cindy Andrews
Los Altos
Downtown park needs further discussions
Your story “City cites lots of public feedback on proposed downtown Los Altos park” on Aug. 27 failed to capture the unanimous opposition to the entire park concept expressed at the Aug. 21 informational meeting. Attendees unanimously opposed the park, and felt it was a “done deal” being sold to residents by consultants and city staff. All attendees agreed that this ill-advised project should be submitted to the ballot prior to any final decision. Such a major project deserves a citywide debate and decision.
Rory Van Tuyl Los Altos
Reconsider downtown park
I am more than annoyed that the city has ostensibly approved a park in the downtown area. The loss of business while building this ridiculous park will really hurt the area. There are two perfectly good parks nearby– Lincoln Park and Shoup Park. I hope the city council will reconsider this plan.
Robbie Groves
Los Altos
