Kingston committee conditionally clears Lauren Park pickleball improvements, asks for sound mitigation plan

The City of Kingston Laws & Rules Committee voted to classify the Lauren Park tennis and pickleball facility improvements as a Type 2 action under SEQR but made the determination conditional on identification of sound-mitigation measures and associated costs.

Project manager Jack Spoonermaker told the committee the work is restorative: the footprint remains the same, the contractor would “pull up the blacktop, redo the base,” re-asphalt and repaint lines, install new fencing and improve drainage with a bioswale. He said the proposal would formalize eight full-time pickleball courts and retain two tennis courts; today the park has eight playable pickleball courts in total (six on the smaller surface plus two courts overlaid on one tennis surface). Spoonermaker said bids would be issued in the coming weeks with construction starting in April and a target completion before summer camp begins June 30.

Several committee members and residents raised concerns about noise, parking and neighborhood impacts. Committee member Michael (identified by first name in the transcript) said several constituents on North Manor Avenue reported concerns about noise. He asked whether the project could include “some kind of baffling or enhanced tree planting.” Spoonermaker said mitigation options being researched include vinyl acoustic panels attached to fencing with fiberglass sound-absorbing material and reflective panels that direct sound toward the ball field rather than houses. He said effective baffling requires blocking sightlines: “If you can't see the people on the other side, then it helps baffle it.” He confirmed the proposed fencing would be roughly 10 feet high.

Committee members asked for specifics and for cost estimates. The project manager agreed to consult an acoustic adviser and return with options and price estimates by the committee’s March 3 meeting. Members discussed whether to add mitigation to the base project budget or to add it later; multiple members said they preferred mitigation be included in the project scope and budget. Committee discussion also covered parking (one speaker estimated “30–36 cars” in the lot), restroom capacity for events and summer camp needs, the reversible sleeve-mounted net poles for winter removal, and the policy that tennis use would retain priority if demand for tennis rises.

At the committee’s request, Spoonermaker said the city had worked with “pickleball ambassadors” on the plan and that the facility would remain dual-purpose: the two main tennis courts would continue to be available for tennis and could be converted to pickleball if needed, with parks staff adjusting nets.

The committee read a resolution determining the Lauren Park tennis/pickleball improvements a Type 2 action in accordance with 6 NYCRR §617.5(c)(2) and §617.5(c)(3), with the SEQR determination conditioned on sound mitigation. A motion and second were made and the committee approved the resolution by voice vote; the clerk announced the motion passed 5–0. The committee directed staff to return by March 3 with mitigation options and estimated costs; final project approval and fund transfer will occur at the Common Council.