Lisle trustees decline study; Park District asked to manage pickleball noise at Abbey Wood

The Village of Lisle Committee of the Whole on July 21 declined to put changes to the village noise ordinance or a taxpayer-funded noise study on its agenda, saying the Lisle Park District has taken several measures to reduce pickleball noise at Abbey Wood and should continue to manage park operations. Mayor Mullin summarized actions taken by the park district: moving court start times (initially to 7 a.m., then to 8 a.m.), prohibiting automatic ball machines and loud music, recommending quiet paddles and balls, removing a portable toilet to discourage early use, trialing and discontinuing PB muffler equipment, and discontinuing park district programming at Abbey Wood in July of the prior year. The park district agreed to larger signage at the site encouraging use of quiet equipment and to post QR codes linking to sources for quieter paddles and balls. The nut graf: Residents raised long-running noise concerns and presented data from a private noise meter; trustees said the village’s jurisdiction over park programming is limited and that the park district has largely addressed the items within its control. Resident Vitesh Matulauskas told the board he rented a professional noise meter (which he said has a market value of about $3,000) and recorded spike levels of about 105 decibels at certain times; he urged removal of a noise-exemption that, he said, allows events such as fireworks until 10 p.m. “If that is not enough, I don't know what it is,” Matulauskas said regarding the measurements. The village emphasized that recorded measurements presented in public comment can be analyzed by staff or third parties if the board requests it. Mayor Mullin said the village’s noise ordinance exemption exists to allow reasonable park uses during daytime and evening hours and warned that changing it could have broader consequences for recreational programming. “I don't plan to put any changes to our noise ordinance on the agenda,” Mullin said, adding that he did not see a basis to spend taxpayer money on a new study unless trustees direct otherwise. Trustees noted ongoing neighbor-to-player tensions. Mullin reported complaints that some residents adjacent to Abbey Wood had harassed and videotaped players; she said recording or harassing park users was inappropriate and that any resident who feels unsafe should contact police. Ending: The committee directed no village action at this time; the Park District and Abbey Wood neighbors will continue to implement and monitor the agreed measures. Trustees said they would revisit the issue only if new evidence or a formal request presented itself.