At the suggestion of Beach Haven Borough Engineer Frank Little, the borough placed wooden stakes in the ground at the Nelson Avenue park field to mark the outlines where six additional pickleball courts might be located.

But then many of the stakes were converted into protest signs from area residents opposed to the plan, with some of the signs reading, “Mayor Nancy Davis, save this field for local kids, please,” and “Protect the park, don’t let pickleball embark.”

And that sentiment carried into a packed borough council meeting room Monday night, Feb.