Lisle Pickleball Court Controversy: For nearly two years, Vitas Matulyauskas has been grappling with what he describes as “noise torture” from the pickleball courts near his Lisle residence. At this week’s village trustee meeting, Matulyauskas urged the board to declare the Abbeywood Park courts a “public nuisance” due to the persistent noise. He also proposed zoning changes to increase the distance between the courts and local homes. “For the past two years, we have been fighting for our health, peace of mind and quality of life,” Matulyauskas told the trustees.
Community Response and Park District Actions
The noise issue has sparked a broader community debate. Matulyauskas and his neighbors voiced their concerns at a recent Lisle Park District board meeting. Conversely, pickleball enthusiasts rallied in July, questioning the park district’s decision to relocate pickleball lessons from Abbeywood Park to Arbor View Park. “It’s unfortunate that something that is bringing people together and is creating community in Lisle is something that is being taken away,” said Lisa Porch, a local resident and former participant in Abbeywood Park’s lessons. Porch and others argued that pickleball provides vital social and fitness benefits. “This program is something that should be celebrated and built upon—not cut back,” she added.
District’s Response and Future Plans
In response to the noise complaints, the park district decided to move lessons to Arbor View Park, though its courts are still within 70 feet of nearby homes without receiving noise complaints. Dan Garvy, Lisle Park District’s director of parks and recreation, mentioned that a new pickleball facility at Tate Woods Park, featuring six courts, is under construction and expected to alleviate some of the pressure on Abbeywood Park. “I think we’ve made a lot of concessions to mitigate or limit the impact that [pickleball] has had,” Garvy said, countering claims that the park district has ignored Matulyauskas’s concerns.
Potential Zoning Changes
The park district has already implemented measures to address the noise, including restrictions on play times, a ban on loud music, and the use of “quiet” paddles and balls. Trustee Dan Grecco has proposed exploring zoning code changes to ensure pickleball courts are situated farther from residential areas. “This is a popular sport that is exploding, and I think it’s time we addressed it in our own zoning,” Grecco said, noting that some communities require courts to be 500 feet away from homes. He emphasized that these changes would apply to future developments rather than existing courts.
In Lisle, the pickleball courts have become a focal point of contention, balancing the need for community recreational spaces with the quest for residential peace.
News in Brief: Lisle Pickleball Court Controversy
Lisle residents are divided over noise from pickleball courts at Abbeywood Park, with Vitas Matulyauskas leading complaints, calling the noise “torture” and urging village trustees to declare the courts a “public nuisance.” Meanwhile, pickleball enthusiasts argue the sport fosters community and should be celebrated, not restricted. The Lisle Park District recently moved lessons to Arbor View Park to address noise concerns and plans to open a new six-court facility at Tate Woods Park. Trustee Dan Grecco suggested exploring zoning changes to ensure courts are far enough from homes, noting the sport’s growing popularity. Despite efforts to mitigate the noise, the issue remains a contentious topic in Lisle.
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