Pickleball’s Popularity Hits a Sour Note: In the charming community of University Park, pickleball is more than just a sport; it’s a vibrant social activity that promotes fitness and camaraderie. However, as the game continues to grow in popularity, so does a pressing concern—noise.
The Sound of Pickleball: An Unexpected Challenge
“Pickleball is easy to learn, fun, social, and fantastic exercise,” said one local player. Yet, it also comes with an auditory price. According to Massachusetts Pickleball, the sport can be significantly louder than tennis due to its fast-paced nature and the ability to fit up to four pickleball courts on a single tennis court. This congestion leads to an increase in the distinctive “pop” of the ball, raising noise levels and drawing complaints from nearby residents.
At the city council’s meeting on October 1, Parks and Recreation Director Sean Johnson reported over ten noise complaints from three or four homes. The council is now tasked with finding solutions to balance the sport’s popularity with the community’s need for peace.
Sound Study Offers Hope
In response to these complaints, the city recently conducted a sound study at the Williams Park pickleball courts, assisted by its Youth Advisory Committee. Johnson shared the findings, noting that the study measured the sounds generated by generation one and generation two paddles and balls.
“We found a five-decibel decrease in sound when using both generation two balls and paddles,” he explained. To put that in perspective, a decrease of ten decibels can make a sound seem half as loud to the human ear. This logarithmic scale of sound presents an interesting challenge for the council as they seek effective solutions.
Mitigation Strategies on the Table
The discussion also turned to potential noise-mitigation strategies. Johnson mentioned the possibility of installing a sound-mitigation barrier around the courts, which could reduce sound levels by about ten decibels if fully enclosed, or by at least five decibels if installed on two sides.
“We’re also looking at removing the courts’ backboard or adding a second fountain in the pond to absorb some of the sound,” he added. However, enforcing a requirement for players to use only generation two balls and paddles poses its own set of challenges due to staffing limitations and the difficulty in identifying the equipment.
A Collaborative Solution?
Council member Phillip Philbin proposed a middle ground, suggesting that the city could selectively enforce the requirement and impose fines on violators.
“I think we should communicate with the pickleball community the issue. Hopefully, they would be good neighbors and appreciate the value of using equipment that would lower the complaint level and the noise level, and realize that if the complaints continue, that might put us in the position of having to raise money if we need to abate the noise some other way.” – (Philbin)
However, Parks Advisory Committee member Ben VerHalen raised concerns about enforcement. “I don’t know what a gen two paddle is,” he admitted, emphasizing that paddles do not typically indicate their generation. VerHalen believes that noise reduction screens would be a more straightforward solution to the problem.
As the council continues to explore these options, the fate of pickleball in University Park hangs in the balance—caught between community enjoyment and the quest for tranquility.
News in Brief: Pickleball’s Popularity Hits a Sour Note
The University Park City Council discussed noise complaints due to pickleball during its October 1 meeting. With over ten complaints from local residents, Parks and Recreation Director Sean Johnson presented findings from a recent sound study, showing a five-decibel reduction in noise with generation two equipment. Proposed solutions include sound-mitigation barriers and community communication.
Council members suggested enforcing equipment regulations, but challenges remain in identifying paddles. The council aims to find a balance between promoting the sport and addressing community concerns.
ALSO READ: The Dark Side of Pickleball’s Popularity Surge, Find Out Why Seniors Are Getting Hurt!
