Residents Voice Concerns
“It’s like having a pistol range in your backyard,” said one frustrated resident. “It’s a torture technique,” echoed another. “Living here is hell,” a third person lamented. These are the sentiments of many Americans who find themselves living near pickleball courts, which are set to be installed in residential areas without much public discourse.
Sound Intensity and Public Perception
The proposed site for the new Mary Crapo Park, which replaces the old Mary Crapo School, has raised concerns. While initially thought to include tennis courts, the sound produced by pickleball is dramatically louder—approximately 6,000 times as intense as the noisiest tennis shots. This considerable noise increase has sparked backlash among local residents.
Lack of Transparency and Upcoming Developments
At a Swartz Creek School Board meeting on May 15, where the construction of the pickleball courts was approved, there was no discussion of the numerous pickleball-related lawsuits or any plans to address community concerns. The courts are expected to be completed by mid-September, with little room for further public input.
News in Brief: Pickleball Noise Concerns in Swartz Creek
Residents near the planned pickleball courts at the former Mary Crapo School site in Swartz Creek, Michigan, express severe dissatisfaction, comparing the noise to a “pistol range” and a “torture technique.”
The sound intensity is reported to be 6,000 times louder than the loudest tennis shots. Despite these concerns, the courts are scheduled for completion by mid-September with minimal further community input.
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