Noise Study of Bonnerworth Park Pickleball Courts: On August 13, Peterborough’s $4.4 million Bonnerworth Park redevelopment project was the focus of a joint virtual meeting involving the city’s arenas, parks and recreation advisory committee, and accessibility advisory committee. The meeting featured a detailed presentation by Paul Gardner from Landscape Planning Landscape Architects, supported by staff members Julia Steele and Melissa Nelson. The presentation included a comprehensive draft master plan and various technical studies, notably a noise study that concluded there would be “no significant increase” in noise from the proposed 14 pickleball courts, provided that noise mitigation measures are implemented effectively.
Key Features of the Draft Master Plan
The draft master plan for the park includes several significant features:
- Pickleball Facility: The plan includes 14 pickleball courts, consisting of 12 standard courts and 2 accessible courts, all equipped with lighting. This facility aims to cater to the growing popularity of pickleball in the area.
- Skatepark Expansion: A new 940-square-meter skatepark expansion is planned, incorporating elements designed in collaboration with the Peterborough Skatepark Coalition and Canadian Ramp Company.
- Parking and Access: The redevelopment includes a paved four-stall staff maintenance parking lot and a 40-stall primary parking lot, with four accessible stalls.
- Additional Features: The park will also feature lighted asphalt walkways and a 32-by-53-meter open lawn area.
Gardner emphasized that the skatepark design is still under development and may include a provisional shade structure, depending on available funding.
Traffic and Noise Studies
Julia Steele presented findings from the traffic and parking study conducted by Tranplan Associates. The study forecasted 35 vehicle trips to the pickleball courts during peak times on weekends if all 14 courts were in use. It also recommended 73 parking stalls for league play and 60 for non-league play, with a plan to use additional spaces at Hunt Terraces to meet these needs.
The noise impact study by Cambium Inc. found that without mitigation, noise levels around the park could increase significantly. However, the proposed mitigation measures—such as a 3.6-meter high noise attenuation fence on three sides of the pickleball courts, landscaped berms, and buffer plantings—are expected to prevent any significant increase in noise.
The study indicated that no receptor location would experience a noise level increase greater than five decibels, aligning with the conclusion that the redevelopment will not significantly affect existing noise levels.
“There is no receptor that is predicted to experience an increase in noise level greater than (five decibels). This would mean no significant increase (in noise) is expected.” – (Cambium report)
Accessibility and Committee Feedback
The draft plan includes accessibility features like two dedicated accessible pickleball courts, six accessible parking stalls, curb depressions with tactile indicators, and a barrier-free connection to the existing washroom building, municipal sidewalks, and transit stops. However, some committee members raised concerns regarding the number of pickleball courts and their placement. Bruce Bozec, a former president of the Peterborough Pickleball Association, questioned the reduction from 16 to 14 courts and the proximity of accessible courts to the parking lot.
“The number of pickleball courts were reduced to 14 to allow for a more efficient configuration and to maximize the setbacks from the Marycrest Seniors Housing, from Hunt Terraces, and from the residence on the north and south of the park.” – (Gardner)
Councillor Kevin Duguay explained that the design adjustments were made to balance various factors, including noise, parking, and green space while remaining within the council’s approval limits.
“We rely upon our consultants to arrive at an appropriate design and an overall balance.” – (Duguay)
Sioux Dixon, from the accessibility advisory committee, highlighted the need for a separate discussion on accessibility issues, suggesting that the current washrooms at the park are insufficient and that accessible courts should be located closer to key amenities.
“In my opinion as an accessibility advocate, these washrooms are not sufficient for this park. They should be more centralized.” – (Dixon)
“a whole bunch of other questions, because I was not aware it was an accessible slash tournament court. It kind of makes me wonder why we’re calling it an accessible court, if that is not the priority for that court. I’m having a lot of challenge(s) to sort out the information.” – (Dixon)
Jef Dueck proposed deferring the vote on the plan to allow for further discussion. However, Sheldon Laidman clarified that no vote was required at this stage, as the purpose of the meeting was to gather feedback for incorporation into the final plan.
“The information that’s on Peterborough Connect or has been provided to the committee tonight, that will be open for the remainder of the week to receive additional comments from the committees. Staff will be receiving that input and then moving to incorporating those comments into the final plan and the tendering and the construction of the project as we go forward.” – (Laidman)
News in Brief: Noise Study of Bonnerworth Park Pickleball Courts
On August 13, Peterborough presented the draft master plan for the $4.4 million Bonnerworth Park redevelopment. The plan features 14 pickleball courts, a skatepark expansion, and updated amenities. A noise study indicated that mitigation measures would prevent a significant increase in noise levels.
Traffic studies forecast 35 vehicle trips during peak times, with recommendations for 73 parking stalls for league play. Accessibility features are included, but concerns were raised about the reduction from 16 to 14 courts and the location of accessible courts. The final plan will incorporate committee feedback before proceeding.
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