Pickleball Ban at Fish Lake Woods Park: A ban on pickleball at Fish Lake Woods Park in Maple Grove, Minnesota, is causing a stir among residents. The city imposed the ban due to noise complaints from a nearby neighbor. In response, many residents are pushing for the sport to return to the park.
Ban Sparks Backlash
The ban, which prohibits pickleball on the park’s tennis courts, has drawn criticism from neighbors who want the courts to remain open for the sport. Larry Sohlberg, a resident, expressed his frustration,
“You’re encouraging people to get out and exercise, yet you’re banning them from doing that. Doesn’t make much sense.” – (Sohlberg)
John Messerly, another resident, has started a petition to bring pickleball back to Fish Lake Woods Park. The petition has already collected hundreds of signatures.
“There are so many people who want to use these courts. They say it’s ridiculous [to ban it]. Our taxes pay for this.” – (Messerly)
City’s Response to Complaints
The city of Maple Grove explained that the pickleball ban resulted from noise complaints made by one nearby neighbor. The neighbor has asked to remain anonymous due to threats they have received since raising the issue.
“We’re not saying they can’t play. There are so many places around in the city to play.” – (resident)
Chuck Stifter, the Parks and Recreation Director for Maple Grove, stated that the city has approximately 36 pickleball courts available across the city. He added that the ban at Fish Lake Woods Park was put in place to “protect those that live closest to the park.”
Seeking a Compromise
Messerly has suggested finding a solution that would reduce the noise, such as limiting play to certain hours or using quieter paddles.
“Can we talk about time limitations? Can we talk about using different paddles, so they aren’t quite as loud? None of that dialogue happened.” – (Messerly)
Stifter mentioned that the city’s Parks and Recreation Board is considering requiring pickleball courts to be at least 200 feet away from residential homes. This would be part of the city’s plan to address noise issues and improve the relationship between residents and the sport.
Possible Solutions
To address the growing issue of pickleball noise nationwide, some communities have turned to solutions like sound barriers, regulating play hours, and using quieter equipment. The Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board will meet Thursday to discuss the matter further.
News in Brief: Pickleball Ban at Fish Lake Woods Park
Maple Grove, Minnesota, has banned pickleball at Fish Lake Woods Park due to noise complaints from a nearby neighbor. Local residents are protesting the ban and have started a petition to reinstate the sport. The city is considering solutions, including changes to court placement and noise management.
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