Ocoee commission limits pickleball hours, orders sound mitigation at Tiger Miner Park

The Ocoee City Commission on Oct. 7 approved new operating hours and sound-mitigation measures for pickleball-only courts at Tiger Miner Park after residents raised noise concerns.

The commission voted to limit pickleball-only court use to 8 a.m.-8 p.m., keep overall park hours at 7 a.m.-10 p.m., install gating to open at 7 a.m. and close at 10 p.m., and add sound-mitigation materials and vegetation along the fence line. The motion passed 4-1, with Commissioner Kennedy recorded as the lone vote against the measure.

The decision followed about an hour of public comment and a staff presentation that listed options including timers for lights, acoustic panels mounted to the fence and landscaping buffers. Parks and Leisure Services Director (unnamed in the record) told the commission: “The recommendation would be to limit the pickleball only courts from 8 to 8,” and described fence-mounted lighting, sound boards that “have been known to knock the decibel level in half,” and planting berms or hedges between courts and adjacent homes.

Residents who live near the courts described frequent early-morning and late-evening play. “It’s approximately 70 feet from some of the houses,” said David Denmark, who identifies himself as a Prima Vista resident whose backyard backs onto the park. Denmark said players often shout, “they're hollering and screaming and having a good time,” and that some neighbors, including older residents, have difficulty sleeping.

Pickleball players and advocates urged the commission to preserve access during the most-used times. Kim Drury, an ambassador for the U.S. Pickleball Association, said the courts draw players at early-morning and evening peak periods and that local businesses benefit. “I hope you'll consider options to allow the park and pickleball courts to be open the current hours into the future so everybody can get to enjoy your great facilities,” Drury said.

Another regular player, Andrea Jones, said a strict 8 p.m. cutoff would prevent many working people from using the courts. “Restricting play between 8 and 8, the majority of the people who work, we have to leave by 8:30. A typical game lasts a couple of hours, there's not time to start a game and have it finish by 8 p.m.,” Jones said.

Commission debate focused on balancing neighborhood livability with recreational access. Commissioner Wilson, who moved the measure, and Commissioner Oliver, who seconded it, emphasized compromise and implementation steps such as lighting timers and gating. Commissioner Kennedy argued the matter should have been placed on a future agenda for fuller public notice: “This should be on an agenda,” Kennedy said during the discussion.

Commissioner First (identified in the record as “Commissioner First”) expressed support for the staff recommendations, noting the need to protect residents’ health and quiet, while acknowledging room to revisit details later. Several commissioners urged staff to budget for sound mitigation and report back if the restrictions proved impractical.

The commission also approved the consent agenda unanimously, which included staff items discussed earlier in the meeting such as a proposed lobbying trip related to ZIP-code unification; the consent vote was recorded without individual dissent.

Staff said next steps would include scheduling and implementing the gate hours, adding timers to lights, pursuing installation of acoustic panels or vegetation along the fence line, and returning to the commission if adjustments are needed.