Winter Park Pickleball Noise Rule: The City of Winter Park has approved new rules limiting when pickleball can be played in residential neighborhoods. Games may only begin at 8:00 a.m. and must end by 8:00 p.m. The rule responds to complaints about noise from nearby homes.
Why the Rule Was Created
Pickleball’s popularity continues to rise, but some Winter Park residents say the sport is too noisy when played near their houses. Complaints often come from courts that homeowners have built themselves or converted from tennis courts.
City officials say the time restrictions will help reduce conflicts between neighbors while still allowing players to enjoy the sport.
Public Parks Not Affected
The new time limits apply only to private courts in residential areas. Public pickleball courts located in parks are not subject to the rule.
Reactions from Players
Not everyone agrees that pickleball is disruptive. Player Marcus Sobering, who began playing a few months ago, compared the sport’s sounds to other activities.
“So yeah, it seems like a quiet sport, relatively speaking. So maybe if someone yells or gets excited, that’s about as loud as it gets, other than a ping pong-esque sound,” Sobering said.
What It Means Moving Forward
The time rule may ease noise disputes for now, but the debate over how loud pickleball really is continues. For some, the paddle-and-ball “ping” blends into the background. For others, it remains a source of irritation.
News in Brief: Winter Park Pickleball Noise Rule
Winter Park has set time limits on neighborhood pickleball courts after noise complaints. Games must run between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., though public park courts are not affected. Some players, like Marcus Sobering, say pickleball is not louder than tennis or music. The rule aims to reduce neighborhood conflicts.
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