Pickleball is Not a Crime but in Carmel it is!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Carmel Residents Oppose City Plan to Criminalize Pickleball at Forest Hill Park: "Pickleball Is Not a Crime"

Coalition Decries Ordinance for Misdemeanor Charges and $1,000 Fines, Calls Council Vote "Government Overreach"

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, CA, December 1, 2025— A coalition of Carmel and Monterey County residents is strongly opposing the City Council's ordinance to ban pickleball at Forest Hill Park by classifying it as a misdemeanor crime punishable by fines up to $1,000. The Council is scheduled to vote on the measure tomorrow, Tuesday, December 2, 2025.

The group, calling itself "Pickleball Is Not a Crime," says the City ignored common-sense compromise solutions used successfully in other California communities—including scheduled hours, quiet walls, court-management protocols, and neighbor mediation.

"This is a public park, not a private enclave," said coalition spokesperson Cara Franklin, lifelong Carmel and Monterey County resident. "Making pickleball a crime punishable by a $1,000 fine is outrageous. Carmel didn't even attempt a serious compromise. If my son and his friends play pickleball, they could be charged with a crime and fined up to $1,000 simply for exercising in a public park."

City Website Promotes Activity It Now Seeks to Criminalize

The coalition notes that Carmel's official Parks and Recreation website promotes pickleball as a featured activity at Forest Hill Park—making the proposal to criminalize it both contradictory and confusing. - see link: https://ci.carmel.ca.us/post/parks-1

Park hours and use times at Forest Hill Park are already reasonable and aligned with standard California park operations. If the City believed certain hours created noise conflicts, it could have easily implemented scheduled play times—a solution proven effective in cities statewide.

"A tiny minority should not dictate public policy for an entire community," Franklin continued. "This proposal punishes people for using a taxpayer-funded public park exactly as intended."

Former Resident Calls Ban "National Embarrassment"

Brandon Gesicki, a past Carmel resident and Carmel High graduate, said the proposal makes the city look extreme.

"Pickleball is not a crime. Carmel is becoming a national punchline for government overreach. If they ban pickleball, what's next—ban Shakespeare in the Park?"

Coalition Urges Community to Attend December 2 Meeting

The coalition is encouraging residents, families, athletes, and visitors to attend the Tuesday, December 2 City Council meeting to voice opposition to the proposed ordinance.

About Pickleball:

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in the U.S., with nearly 20 million players in 2024 and 45.8% year-over-year growth from 2023. The sport's accessibility, ease of learning, and social nature have driven participation, with over 19% of U.S. adults having played in the last 12 months. There are now over 68,000 courts nationwide, with the number expanding rapidly.

Media Contact: Brandon Gesicki

831-206-6460 / capitolconsultingcomm@gmail.com

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