Maple Grove Park’s Pickleball Ban: Pickleball has been banned at Fish Lake Woods Park in Maple Grove after neighbors complained about the noise. The Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board made the decision this month after hearing concerns from residents living near the park. The ban affects the tennis courts where pickleball was previously played.
“At first I thought it was a joke, I thought that somebody had just put them up and tried to be the one cranky neighbor.” – (Messerly)
Noise Complaints Lead to Ban
The complaints came from a couple who have lived next to the park for 20 years. They said the noise from the sport, especially the sound of the wooden paddle hitting the ball, became too loud and disruptive.
“Tennis is perfectly fine. Basketball is fine. Once pickleball came about, it just got louder and louder and more disrespectful. The noise with the wood paddle — the ting, the ting, the ting — all day long.” – (resident)
The neighbors asked to remain anonymous because they have received threats.
The Park Board’s Decision
Ben Jaszewski, the Parks and Planning Superintendent, said that the board tried to find solutions for noise reduction, but they were expensive and would have little effect.
They also reviewed sound studies from other cities, which recommended pickleball courts be at least 150 to 200 feet away from homes. The townhomes near Fish Lake Woods Park are only 75 feet away from the courts.
“We’re not anti-pickleball. We just want to put pickleball in appropriate places.” – (Jaszewski)
Community Reactions and Petition
John Messerly, a neighbor, started a petition to ask the Parks and Recreation Board to reverse the decision. The petition has gained more than 260 signatures. Messerly, along with other neighbors, believes that community parks should be places where people can come together, even if there is some noise.
“I think the real value of having community parks is that you are working on building community. If you live next to a park you’re going to have noise. You have to expect that.” – (Messerly)
Future of Pickleball in the Area
The Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board plans to continue using the 150-foot guideline when placing new pickleball courts. They also mentioned that other courts might need to be reviewed in the future.
Despite the disagreement, both the complaining neighbors and Messerly are open to finding a compromise, like setting special hours for the sport or using quieter paddles.
“I think it’s really something where the more people are willing to talk to each other and work through solutions, it’s going to come to a better result and build community in the process.” – (Messerly)
“I would be fine with a compromise as long as they don’t retaliate and do any damage and violence to us. I mean, we’ve been nothing but respectful to everyone in the park.” – (resident)
News in Brief: Maple Grove Park’s Pickleball Ban
Pickleball was banned at Fish Lake Woods Park in Maple Grove due to noise complaints from neighbors. The Maple Grove Parks and Recreation Board decided the courts, which were too close to nearby townhomes, would need to follow guidelines for future placements. A petition has been started to ask for a reversal of the decision.
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