Parks Commission hears neighbors on pickleball noise, defers action pending technical study and council workshop

The Lake Elmo Parks Commission on Dec. 15 considered options to address noise from pickleball courts at Pebble Park after months of citizen complaints. Staff described several mitigation products — acoustic block panels, fence screens, quilted sound blankets and a product called Sports SonicGuard — and presented approximate costs and tradeoffs, but commissioners expressed concerns about cost, durability and whether two-sided mitigation would simply bounce sound to other neighborhoods.

"We did have 1 of the council members authorized the city administrator to approve up to $75,000 of settlement mitigation at that time," staff said, noting council had previously discussed a $50,000 range. Staff presented ballpark figures of roughly $25,000–$35,000 for blankets covering two sides plus about $30,000 to remove and replace the existing fence footings; staff estimated a full multi‑side installation including new footings and landscaping could run from $50,000 to $100,000 or more depending on options.

Resident Paul Boltman, who lives northeast of the courts, said compliance with a 7 p.m. play curfew earlier this fall was poor and urged the commission to consider moving neighborhood courts to the larger sports complex site. "From what I've read, you would need 200 feet of contiguous trees to have any effect on the sound," Paul said, adding he is skeptical that barriers will adequately address the impulsive paddle noise and characterizing the placement of courts in Pebble Park as a mistake.

Resident Josh urged commissioners to avoid a solution that simply shifts noise onto other homes and suggested siting more intensive court facilities at the proposed sports complex instead.

After discussion about effectiveness, durability, neighborhood equity and alternatives including enforcement of play hours, Chair (Commissioner 3) moved to defer a decision until after the February workshop with City Council and directed staff to gather additional technical information and neighborhood input. Commissioner 4 seconded the motion. During the roll-call discussion several commissioners expressed reservations; the Chair announced the motion carried and the item will return after the council workshop.

Next steps: staff will collect effectiveness data (site examples and product performance), cost breakdowns including landscaping and gates, schedule neighborhood outreach, and bring results to the Parks Commission after the February workshop with City Council.