Pickleball versus peace of mind? Islanders worry cacophonous sport could bring ruckus
The raging popularity of pickleball means more municipalities are fielding demand for public courts, and Hilton Head Island is no exception — but not everyone is enthused to see the sport expand into their neighborhood.
Individuals and organized groups of pickleball enthusiasts have frequently approached Hilton Head’s Town Council encouraging officials to consider either taking sole ownership of co-owned sites, like the Adrianna Lane courts, or building new, dedicated pickleball facilities.
As plans for a Chaplin Park renewal move forward, town officials have discussed the site as a potential home for a 24-court dedicated pickleball complex that could one day host regional tournaments on top of regular, public use.
The residents of communities near the proposed site, however, are worried that traffic and the potential, incessant “pop” of ball on paddle could compromise the peace and quiet many sought out Hilton Head for.
.png "image001 (1).png")
A survey circulated by the home owners’ association of The Village at Singleton Beach, a private community near the proposed construction site of the pickleball facility, received 21 responses from homeowners in the small neighborhood. A majority of those identified noise as their biggest concern, but opinions were split on whether they supported pickleball at Chaplin park or not.
Eleven of the respondents indicated they would support pickleball at the park if it were located near the interior of the park, away from the neighboring communities to insulate noise, and one owner supported the courts regardless of location. Nine said they don’t support the proposed courts being built anywhere in the park.
.JPG "IMG_1860 (1).JPG")
Neighbors of pickleball courts across the country have raised the alarm, and even filed lawsuits against town governments, because of noise complaints they say are disrupting enjoyment of their homes. In national outlets, they’ve likened the ruckus to having a gun range in their back yard, or in the most extreme descriptions, “worse than cancer.”
A full-fledged Facebook community has popped up around tips to reduce the annoyance, with its members regularly posting screenshots of decibel readings showing pickleball courts peaking around 70 decibels (about the volume of a toilet flushing or household vacuum cleaner) to more commonly averaging about 50-55 decibels (slightly quieter than a normal conversation). Those readings tend to come from homes within 150-200 feet of a pickleball court.
Pickleball’s rapid ascension has given rise to various means of pickleball noise mitigation, usually in the form of acoustic wraps around courts. , and organized pickleball groups have begun recommending specialized balls and paddles that don’t produce the same irritating, high-pitched noise neighbors have come to despise.
Some towns have tackled the issue through zoning codes.
The town of Centennial, Colorado shored up its ordinances by prohibiting permanent outdoor pickleball courts within 250 feet of a residential area, and a permit is required for courts anywhere from 250 to 600 feet of a residence. Noise mitigation for such courts is required, and must “create no more than 47 decibels at the nearest residential property line.
The plans for Chaplin Park aren’t yet finalized, so the inclusion of the proposed 24-court complex in Chaplin Park’s makeover isn’t a guarantee, and the location could change if it is included.
“We have received some input from the neighbors in that area,” Jennifer Ray, Hilton Head’s capital program manager, said. “At this point, no decision has been made on whether there will or will not be pickleball and what, if any, noise mitigation measures will be required.”
Ray said her staff will share noise concerns with town officials at the next town workshop on the public parks overhaul, which is expected to take place “within the next couple of months.”
This story was originally published September 22, 2023 at 12:01 PM.
