Brownsburg pickleball players press council to reopen weekend hours as neighbors seek noise solutions

Players and neighbors packed the Town of Brownsburg council chambers on Oct. 9, pressing elected officials to resolve a months‑long dispute over pickleball hours at Stevens Park.

Ethan Hicks, a Brownsburg resident who said he was speaking for more than 140 petition signers, told the council the 10 a.m.–6 p.m. weekend schedule set earlier this year leaves many players unable to participate. "We respectfully request either that the courts be made available on weekends from sunrise to sunset or that we return to the original hours of 7AM to 9PM," Hicks said.

Parks Director Amber Lane reviewed the changes that led to the current schedule: the park opened with dawn‑to‑dusk hours, the board later moved hours to 7 a.m.–9 p.m., and in February, following complaints from adjacent homeowners, the authority implemented 10 a.m.–6 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. "Since then, we still have had some ongoing complaints on noise concerns, but players have expressed frustration on being left out of the original and are requesting a relook at the hours," Lane said.

Players argued the restricted hours compress demand, create parking congestion and force many — including seniors and working adults — to play in hotter, less safe conditions. "There are many hot Saturdays this past summer that had 30 to 35 players who arrived to play by 8 or 8:30 in the morning," said Eileen Holland, a longtime player. She urged the council to consider an earlier weekend opening and explore sound‑mitigation options.

Neighbors described persistent noise inside nearby units and said small plantings placed years ago had not dampened sound. One tenant owner said she can hear the ball and shouting inside apartments and asked the town to prioritize tenants’ quality of life.

Lane told the council staff would continue research into sound‑dampening, setback studies and fencing options and recommended the council give staff about a month to meet with players and adjacent homeowners — separately or together — to seek compromise. She referenced best practices she has reviewed, including setbacks in the 250–350 foot range to limit sound impacts.

Council members thanked both groups for organized input and said they expect follow‑up discussions. The parks director also signaled longer‑term options — including relocating or adding courts at other town parks — will be considered during future budget or capital planning discussions.

The council did not enact any immediate ordinance or vote about Stevens Park hours at the meeting; staff were directed to continue outreach and analysis and return with recommendations.