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Provide Direction to Staff Regarding the Court Striping at Culver West Alexander and Syd Kronenthal.
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Meeting Date: May 5, 2026
Contact Person/Dept.: Adam Ferguson/PRCS
Phone Number: (310) 253-6685
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Attachments: Yes [] No [X]
Public Notification: (E-mail) Meetings and Agendas- Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (04/30/2026); (E-mail) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (04/30/2026)
Department Approval: Adam Ferguson, PRCS Deputy Director (04/29/2026) _____________________________________________________________________
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the Parks, Recreation, and Community Services Commission provide direction to staff regarding the court striping at Culver West Alexander and Syd Kronenthal.
BACKGROUND
Pickleball and paddle tennis (also known as POP Tennis) have popularity in Culver City among residents and nearby neighbors, creating pressure on the City’s shared court facilities. While similar in appearance, the two sports have different court dimensions, striping requirements, and net heights, which can create confusion when courts are used for both purposes.
Pickleball Courts
A standard pickleball court is 20 feet wide × 44 feet long. The court is divided by a net with a height of 36 inches at the sidelines and 34 inches at the center. The court has a non-volley zone, usually referred to as the kitchen, 7 feet from the net on each side. The areas behind the kitchen, referred to as service areas, are divided into left and right service courts. The essential lines for a pickleball court are:
• Baselines (2) - Run along the back of the court
• Sidelines (2) - Run the full 44 ft length
• Non-volley zone (kitchen) lines (2) - Parallel to the net, 7 ft from it on each side
• Centerlines (1 per side) - Divide each side into left/right service courts
• Net line (not painted, but important reference)
All lines are typically 2 inches wide and are clearly visible. Please refer to Attachment 1 for a diagram of pickleball court dimensions from USA Pickleball.
Paddle Tennis Courts
A standard paddle tennis court is 50 feet long and 20 feet wide. The court is divided by a net with a height of 31 inches at both the posts and center. The court has a service line positioned 3 feet from the boundary line. A center service line runs perpendicular to the net to the service line and divides the area into left and right service courts. The essential lines for paddle tennis courts are:
• Baselines (2) - Run along the back of the court
• Sidelines (2) - Run the full 50 ft length
• Service Lines (2) - Parallel to the net, 3 ft from baseline
• Center Service Line (1 per side) - Runs from the service line to the net and divides the service courts into left and right sides.
• Net line (not painted but important reference)
All lines are typically 2 inches wide and are clearly visible. Please refer to Attachment 2 for a diagram of paddle tennis court dimensions from the International Pop Tennis Association.
DISCUSSION
The Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Department is currently in the process of resurfacing several tennis courts and paddle tennis courts, which needed repair due to minor wear and tear. Initially, PRCS had received approval to resurface all paddle tennis courts to be dual striped for paddle tennis and pickleball. This would also include painting the kitchen area a separate color, which is common among courts dedicated to pickleball. The paddle tennis courts at Culver West Alexander Park were painted in this manner causing many complaints from members of the public. The PRCS Commission initially approved the paddle tennis courts to be dual striped for paddle tennis and pickleball. At that time, staff did not receive direction from the PRCS Commission on the color of the kitchen for pickleball.
At the PRCS Commission’s Special Meeting on April 16, 2026, PRCS Deputy Director Adam Ferguson gave an update on the project. At that time, he recommended that the paddle tennis courts located at Fox Hills and on the corner of Elenda and Culver Blvd. be dual striped for both games. The paddle tennis courts at Culver West Alexander Park and Syd Kronenthal Park remain striped only for paddle tennis due to the vicinity of the neighbors to the courts. At this time, the department is open to adjusting this decision.
Two Approaches to Dual Striping the Courts
There are two different approaches to allow for both paddle tennis and pickleball to be played on a paddle tennis court. Both are currently on display in the City.
• As seen at the courts located at Elenda and Culver Blvd: The entire court is painted one color to visually look like a paddle tennis court. It includes the lines for pickleball and paddle tennis, allowing both games to be played on the courts.
• As seen at Culver West Alexander Park: The kitchen area for pickleball is painted a different color to visually look like a pickleball court. It includes the lines for pickleball and paddle tennis allowing for both games to be played on the courts.
Currently, PRCS staff do not have approval to change paddle tennis courts to dedicated pickleball courts. Staff recommends the first approach as seen at the courts located at Elenda and Culver Blvd. because this keeps the aesthetic of paddle tennis while allowing the court to be used for both games.
Sound Consideration
The game of pickleball is commonly known as a louder game than paddle tennis or tennis. This is because the game involves a wooden racket hitting a plastic wiffle ball. The PRCS Department frequently receives complaints from neighbors about the noise level of pickleball games. PRCS staff did a decibel test on a pickleball game, and it came in at 61 decibels. For perspective, the electric leaf blower used by the PRCS Parks Maintenance Division reaches a decibel reading of 63. Community feedback also suggests that the repetitive nature of play adds to the sound level making the game more disruptive.
Options for Consideration
Option 1: Paddle Tennis Only at Culver West Alexander Park and Syd Kronenthal Park
This option maintains the courts as dedicated paddle tennis courts, with striping limited to paddle tennis requirements only. The courts would retain a uniform surface without additional markings for pickleball. The net would remain at the standard paddle tennis height of 31 inches. Pickleball play could still occur using portable nets brought by users; however, no pickleball lines would be provided. Due to proximity to residents, maintaining the courts as primarily paddle tennis may also help minimize potential noise impacts.
The paddle tennis courts at Elenda and Culver Blvd. and at Fox Hills park would be dual striped for both games.
Option 2: Hybrid with Paddle Tennis Aesthetic at All Courts
This option provides striping for both paddle tennis and pickleball while maintaining a uniform court color. The non-volley zone (“kitchen”) would not be visually differentiated, resulting in a cleaner appearance that more closely resembles a paddle tennis court. The net would remain at 31 inches, consistent with paddle tennis standards. Pickleball players would continue to use portable nets.
This approach seeks to balance multi-sport functionality with a simplified visual appearance, though the absence of a clearly defined non-volley zone may reduce usability for some pickleball players.
Option 3: Hybrid with the kitchen painted a different color
This option includes full striping for both paddle tennis and pickleball, with the non-volley zone painted in a contrasting color. The net would remain at 31 inches, and pickleball would continue to require portable nets. This approach improves clarity for pickleball play and could be considered by some players as a City sanctioned dedicated pickleball court. This option would maintain the current striping configuration at Culver West Alexander Park.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The financial impact is dependent on the direction received and final decision made as to how to stripe the court. There is enough funding in the Fiscal Year 2025-2026 CIP PZ899 Park Facilities Improvements, account 41980000.514100 and 41980000.7301000 to cover any expenses that may arise as a result of updates to the court striping.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2026-05-05 ATT1 Pickleball Court Dimensions
2. 2026-05-05 ATT2 Paddle Tennis Court Dimensions
recommended action
MOTION(S)
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission:
1. Provide direction to staff regarding the court striping at Culver West Alexander.