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Ken-Caryl advances community park pickleball design; board asks staff to study funding, programming and Bradford noise mitigation
Summary
Directors reviewed updated community park designs that include a north pickleball core (phase 1A), preliminary soil results, and initial cost estimates; they also instructed staff to continue detailed design, examine funding options and return with information on lighting, programming and noise barriers for Bradford Park.
The Ken-Caryl Metropolitan District Board received an update on Community Park's phase 1 design, including a proposed four-court pickleball core, early geotechnical results and preliminary cost estimates, and asked staff to return with detailed design options, funding scenarios and programming plans.
District staff told the board that subsurface testing indicates existing on-site soils can be used for construction, which would reduce import costs. "They are recommending ... the existing soils on-site can be used," staff said when summarizing geotechnical findings, which project engineers described as a favorable result for foundation and soil amendment plans.
Designers presented a phase 1A schematic that sites a pickleball core north of an existing walkway, aligns courts with the existing parking area and anticipates improvements including restrooms, field realignment, irrigation and concrete work. Staff provided a preliminary construction estimate for the pickleball element and related site work; the figure presented in the packet was approximate and subject to design development and bidding. Board members emphasized the need to plan for lighting and operations as part of the design. "I think it would be a strong resource to that facility," one director said of including lights for evening play.
Directors asked staff to develop a detailed design schedule and return with proposed funding sources. Staff identified several potential funding sources: Plains Metropolitan District settlement funds (described by staff as approximately $1.14 million as of June), the conservation trust fund, and district reserves.
Board discussion also covered programming and revenue. A director noted tennis operations generate substantial revenue for the district and suggested staff evaluate reservation systems, leagues and instruction for pickleball to offset maintenance costs.
Separately, the board reviewed a consultant noise study for Bradford Park's courts and preliminary options to mitigate sound. The consultant recommended a three-sided, lightweight sound-absorbing fence to reduce measured decibels near neighboring properties; staff said the product would be modular, available in multiple colors and could be installed and removed seasonally. The consultant's model showed roughly a 9–10 dB reduction in perimeter zones with a three-sided barrier, moving many areas from the "red" impact ring into quieter ranges. Staff estimated the barrier product would cost in the ballpark of $40,000 for the full court enclosure but noted modular or partial installations are possible.
Board members supported further study and asked staff to return next month with firmer costs, lead times, sample materials and any required approvals. Several directors suggested cost-share or community fundraising as options for barrier installation.
No funding appropriation or contract award was approved at the meeting; the board provided direction for staff to proceed with detailed design, budgeting scenarios and a follow-up briefing on both the Community Park phase 1 design and Bradford sound-mitigation options.
