Lake Elmo limits pickleball hours and directs targeted sound mitigation at Pebble Park

Faced with neighborhood complaints about noise and lights at newly built pickleball courts, the Lake Elmo City Council voted to limit court hours, require removal of court lights and the practice wall at Pebble Park, and directed staff to research and pursue targeted sound‑mitigation measures.

Parks staff identified two formal complaints tied to courts at Ivywood and Pebble/Tablin and reported measured property‑line averages at Pebble Park “between 47 and 52–53 decibels,” noting Minnesota statutory guidance and a city ordinance that limits noise above ambient levels. Staff said the parks commission recommended adopting distance guidance (the parks plan suggests a 600‑foot setback), and that existing courts fall short of that separation (measured distances in the packet ranged from about 184 to 297 feet).

Residents pushed back on the sampling approach. Paul Boltman, who lives near a court, said the short, impulsive ‘pop’ of paddle strikes and players’ yelling create a persistent disturbance and described the issue as a public‑health concern: “The noise of the paddles hitting the balls and the voices and yelling of the participants are major problems for the residents around the courts…This is a public health issue.” Other neighbors described lights shining into bedrooms, dust and parking problems.

Players urged compromise and mitigation. Jennifer Waters, a Lake Elmo Pickleball coordinator, said her group averages about 16 players in the morning and supported removing the practice board, limiting hours and installing sound‑deadening fabric; she noted the city invested roughly $500,000 on the courts.

Council action: After extended debate on start and end times, enforcement and structural concerns about mounting barriers, Council member Holtz moved a composite motion that the council approved by voice vote: set hours for pickleball at all sites from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.; discontinue use of court lighting for pickleball effective immediately; remove the Pebble Park practice wall; and direct staff to evaluate and recommend materials and vegetation for targeted noise mitigation at Pebble Park (with the goal of an initial measurable noise reduction). The motion also directed staff to develop signage and an education plan for users and to work with the sheriff’s department on enforcement options.

What’s next: Staff will return with cost estimates and recommended products and vegetation for Pebble Park, and the council indicated it may revisit hours if mitigation proves effective.