Lake Elmo limits pickleball hours, bans lighting at city courts and directs noise-mitigation study after resident complaints

The Lake Elmo City Council on Tuesday voted to set uniform hours for outdoor pickleball courts, prohibit court lighting and direct staff to study and implement noise-mitigation measures after residents raised repeated complaints about sound, lights and parking.

The council’s motion (passed by unanimous voice vote) set hours for all pickleball sites from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., ordered the removal of the practice wall at Pebble Park, called for no lighting at the city’s pickleball courts, and directed staff to evaluate noise-absorbing materials and vegetation for sound mitigation at Pebble Park, with additional signage and public education to follow.

Why it matters: residents who live near the courts described loud percussive “popping” noises from paddles and frequent yelling that they said disrupt sleep and daily life. Staff had measured property-line noise at Pebble Park on two occasions and reported average readings between about 47 and 53 decibels; Minnesota statutes and local ordinance reference a 60-decibel threshold during park hours. Nevertheless, several residents said the impulsive, repeated paddle sounds create stress and constitute a public-health concern.

Public comments: Paul Boltman, a nearby resident, told the council “This is a public health issue,” describing repeated impulsive noise from paddles and players’ shouting. John Howley, who lives “30 feet from Pebble Park,” said the courts’ “lights are shining on about half my yard at night” and “I can’t sleep at night.” Jennifer Waters, a coordinator for Lake Elmo Pickleball, said the club supports an 8 a.m. start and removal of the practice board and urged the city to identify a better long-term site for courts; she noted about 38 regular players live in Lake Elmo and said the organization does not organize amplified music or other disruptive behavior.

Staff background and options: Parks staff told the council the city found court-to-home distances range from about 184 to 297 feet — below a 600-foot setback recommended in the city’s 2024 parks master plan. Staff also briefed council that sound-absorption products exist (some made of fiberglass or mass-loaded vinyl) and that a two-sided installation was previously estimated at roughly $35,000, while more robust or full installations would cost more and some materials have limited outdoor longevity. Staff recommended against immediate full barriers at the sites because prior noise measurements did not exceed the local 60 dB standard, but they advised the council on options including adjusting hours, removing lighting, adding vegetation berms or moving courts to locations that meet the 600-foot recommendation.

Council action and implementation: Council members discussed several compromises. Concerns included enforcement (how to ensure users follow hours and sign rules), fence structural capacity (some absorption materials add weight and wind loading), and whether adjusting hours or adding materials would simply shift traffic to other parks. The council motion directs staff to develop recommendations and cost estimates for specific mitigation materials and vegetation and to move immediately to remove the Pebble Park practice wall and cease use of lights. Staff will also update court reservation systems and conduct an education campaign; the city may ask the sheriff’s office to increase patrols during the early implementation period.

Next steps: staff will return with cost estimates for sound-mitigation materials, recommended planting/landscaping, updated reservation/communication plans, and signage to implement the new hours and no-light policy. The council indicated it may revisit hours if mitigation proves effective.