Buena Park residents will soon see some new pickleball in a town where just over half of residents live within a 10-minute walking distance from a park. 

It comes as towns across Orange County have been adding pickleball courts to meet resident demand – especially in south county. 

[Read: OC Pickleball Courts Swell to Meet Demand]

Buena Park City Council members voted unanimously on Tuesday to approve three new pickleball courts, eight new benches and the revamping of two existing basketball courts to Heroes Park – formerly San Marino Park – near the corner of Valley View Avenue and Crescent Avenue. 

Councilwoman Susan Sonne said pickleball courts have become a hit in the city and she is excited about adding additional courts. 

“It has become such a popular sport, and people are clamoring for pickleball courts all over the city,” Sonne said in a phone interview. “We’re just responding to the residents.” 

Sonne said the city currently operates one pickleball court and it is constantly booked. 

According to the Trust for Public Lands, just 2% of the land in Buena Park is used for parks – far below the national median of 15%. The 50-year old park advocacy nonprofit also found that 52% of Buena Park residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park – 5% below the national average of urban cities. 

Councilman Carlos Franco said adding more pickleball courts lets local residents enjoy amenities typically found in South Orange County. 

“Pickleball is a type of sport that would normally be seen somewhere in South County, and for us to make that available gives our youth an opportunity to engage in something new that they normally would not have access to,” Franco said in a phone interview.

Buena Park’s total cost of the project including pickleball courts, fences, benches and upgrading the basketball courts will cost $78,104.52. 

Aaron Esparza-Almaraz, assistant engineer for the city, said the installments will be funded by grants and will have no impact on the city’s budget. 

In some cities like Laguna Beach adding new pickleball courts have become a contentious debate, where residents have complained about noise. 

Sonne said the city has not received any pushback from residents about noise from pickleball courts.

“It’s only been positive, from what I’ve seen and heard,” Sonne said. 

In May the city conducted a noise impact study and found that the pickleball courts should not exceed city noise limits and shouldn’t disturb nearby residents, according to the staff report. 

Councilwoman Lamiya Hoque who is a representative of the district where Heroes Park is located said this project reflects the needs of the community.

“One of the most requested amenities I’ve heard from constituents has been the addition of pickleball courts, and I’m excited that we’re delivering on that,” Hoque wrote in an email.

Construction is set to begin in August.