Tucker Recreation Center Pickleball Decision: The Tucker City Council voted 6-1 on September 22 to cancel plans for a 12-court pickleball complex at Tucker Recreation Center. Mayor Frank Auman made the motion after hearing a study on pickleball noise by Pickleball Sound Mitigation Consulting, citing safety and liability concerns as the main reason.
Safety and Liability Concerns
The study, presented by Dale Van Scoyk and Braxton Boren of Pickleball Sound Mitigation Consulting, recommended installing 12- to 14-foot sound barriers to reduce noise to 52 decibels. However, Tucker Parks and Recreation Director Rip Robertson said the barriers would remove sidelines, creating safety risks. Mayor Frank Auman confirmed the project posed safety and liability issues.
Council Member Vinh Nguyen voted against canceling the project. He said,
“The safety situation is a little overblown,”
and believed noise would not significantly affect nearby residents. Nguyen demonstrated 50 decibels by tapping on a desk, though his remarks upset some attendees.
Community Response
Rebecca Gross, representing residents opposed to the courts, praised the vote. She said,
“The 6-1 vote to pull the directive…was a critical and important step in healing the division caused by this controversial proposal…We look forward to Tucker meeting the growing demand for pickleball courts in a fiscally responsible manner that poses ZERO threat to the quality of life of any resident or our neighborhoods.”
Study Details
The PSMC report found that without barriers, sound levels at nearby homes could exceed 60 decibels. Even with 12- to 14-foot barriers, noise would remain above recommended levels in some areas. Recommendations included rotating courts, reducing the number of courts, and fully enclosing certain areas, but these measures still could not meet target sound limits.
For Henderson Park, sound levels would stay below 50 decibels due to distance, elevation, and natural buffers, allowing up to 12 pickleball courts on four existing tennis courts. For Rosenfeld Park, noise control would require barriers of up to 22 feet, which were impractical. Consultants concluded,
“Based on the findings, it is recommended that pickleball courts not be constructed in accordance with the current design. To put it bluntly, Rosenfeld Park is not the best place for pickleball.”(Van Scoyk)
Next Steps
Despite the vote, the city will hold a public information meeting on September 29 from 6-8 p.m. at city hall to discuss future pickleball opportunities. Mayor Frank Auman said the city will continue seeking solutions to meet the demand for pickleball at other locations. Residents like Rebecca Gross emphasized caution, noting the high cost and neighborhood impact of extensive sound mitigation measures.
News in Brief: Tucker Recreation Center Pickleball Decision
The Tucker City Council canceled plans for a 12-court pickleball complex at Tucker Recreation Center due to safety and liability concerns. Noise studies showed barriers could reduce sound but create hazards. Residents and officials will explore other locations, and a public meeting is scheduled for September 29 to discuss future pickleball options.
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