Little Elm resident asks council to extend pickleball court lights and reduce evening reservations
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Summary
A resident representing the Little Elm pickleball community asked the council to extend lighted court hours during summer months and keep courts open for drop-in play in the evenings to support access and safety.
Ethan Liu of Deer Hollow Drive addressed the council during public comment on behalf of the Little Elm pickleball community, asking two policy changes: extend court lighting to 11 p.m. nightly from June through September, and limit court reservations after 7 p.m. to preserve drop-in play.
Liu said most players prefer to play after sunset during hot months and that on many nights 20 to 30 people remain on the courts when lights currently shut off at 10 p.m. “Extending the lights by just one hour would better match how the community actually uses a space and provide a safer, cooler play time without requiring new infrastructure,” Liu told the council.
He also said keeping courts available for spontaneous play after 7 p.m. would reduce gatekeeping by large groups and increase access for individuals and small groups. Liu noted current paddle-stacking and challenge-court systems allow open play to run smoothly.
Councilmembers did not take immediate action on the request during the meeting; staff will consider policy implications and possible scheduling changes.
