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Residents press city to fix lights, parking and hours at Eagle Scout Park pickleball courts; city plans temporary closures and new rules
Summary
Residents living behind Eagle Scout Park told the Dunedin City Commission that new pickleball courts have produced late‑night play, bright lights and overflowing parking; the city said courts will close briefly for repairs and that hours and enforcement will be tightened.
Dozens of nearby residents, many from a senior condominium complex on Virginia Street, pressed the Dunedin City Commission on Thursday to take action after new pickleball courts at Eagle Scout Park brought crowding, late‑night play, parked cars and bright lights into their back yards.
Several residents described long‑running problems: speakers blasting music, cars parked on sidewalks and in handicapped spaces, headlights shining into living rooms and players still using courts at dawn and past posted closing times. Joanne Holiday, who lives directly behind the courts, said lighting and noise had become a daily invasion: “My house has unwanted guests,” she told the commission.
Residents said earlier calls to law enforcement produced slow or uncertain responses; multiple speakers said deputies were unsure about park jurisdiction. Jane Powell and others told commissioners they had called sheriff’s deputies repeatedly and waited 30–45 minutes for enforcement; Powell said she wanted a reliable enforcement presence at 10 p.m. when courts must close.
City manager Jennifer (interim parks liaison) told the commission staff has been working on a plan since the courts opened and will close courts temporarily May 22–23 to repair surface cracks and repaint lines. When the courts reopen staff said they will limit hours to not earlier than 8 a.m. and evenings ending at 8 or 8:30 p.m., and will ensure the lights turn off. The city will add signage in the parking area requesting respectful behavior and will explore reorienting some parking and adding acoustic vegetation; staff said acoustical windscreens were unlikely to be effective but trees might help where space permits.
Interim parks director Jocelyn and parks staff will also pursue directed patrols with the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and requested better evening deputy coverage; the city manager said she will follow up on why directed‑patrol coverage was not consistent. Instructor Marissa Chaffetz, who runs free beginner lessons for a senior women’s group called the Gulf Coast Gals, urged the city to reserve some courts and signage for beginners so new players get court time and to reduce conflict.
City staff told residents the parks and recreation advisory committee will review the issues and staff will meet next week with stakeholders to finalize hours, parking adjustments and enforcement plans. The city manager said the city will study parking reconfiguration, possible light shields and other measures and will not re‑open the courts to overnight play under the existing setup.
The commission did not adopt a formal ordinance during the meeting; staff directed to implement the temporary court closure, finalize new hours and report back to the commission and residents.
