Residents cite 'piercing' pickleball noise; East Greenwich schedules townwide nuisance-noise discussions

A resident told the East Greenwich Town Council that noise from pickleball play at Academy Field has made it difficult to use her yard and garden, and the council said it will open a townwide discussion about nuisance noises.

Jill Stang, who said she lives at 124 Spring Street, told the council she can hear “a piercing noise” from the courts when she is in her garden and that neighbors closer to the field are reluctant to speak up. “Everyone loves pickleball,” Stang said, but she asked the council to consider limiting hours, moving courts or otherwise reducing disturbances.

Town officials acknowledged the complaint and highlighted work already underway to engage neighbors. Town Manager (name not specified in the meeting record) and Community Services Director Andy Wade told the council they had been in contact with residents and that options discussed include adjusting hours, examining ball types that produce less high-frequency “twang,” and other mitigation measures.

The manager announced two open public discussion meetings about nuisance noise: Monday, Aug. 4, and a second session tentatively scheduled for Sept. 25. The town will publicize both meetings and seek broad input on whether changes are needed to local noise regulations, how those rules would apply to public recreational spaces, and possible compromises to balance use and residential livability.

Councilors said the issue illustrates a broader challenge: reinvesting in public recreation spaces can increase activity and noise in adjoining neighborhoods. Officials urged residents to attend the meetings and submit written suggestions to the town clerk, noting the town intends to gather information before drafting any changes to the noise ordinance.

No vote or ordinance change was taken at the meeting; the council framed the upcoming sessions as information-gathering forums ahead of any formal policy decisions.