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Council approves acoustic panels for La Bretta Park after resident noise complaints
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Summary
After a constituent letter raising health and quality-of-life concerns about pickleball courts, the council approved a purchase order to install quilted acoustic panels at La Bretta Park and discussed automated gates and future playground relocation at Loretta Park to reduce noise impacts.
A written complaint flagged by councilmembers about persistent noise from nearby pickleball courts prompted the Mobile City Council to approve quilted acoustic panels for La Bretta Park.
A constituent's written letter — read into the record — described chronic noise, medical symptoms the writer attributed to the exposure and urged enclosure, relocation or removal of the courts. Vice President Gregory and other members acknowledged earlier construction-era complaints, said parks staff installed automated locks to keep courts closed after hours, and noted ongoing mitigation work.
On consent, the council approved purchase order 08465 to Putterman Athletics for quilted acoustic panels for the La Bretta Park pickleball courts. Councilmembers called the panels one element of a broader mitigation strategy; Vice President Gregory said the council also plans a playground relocation uphill at Loretta Park to help with drainage and to provide some additional separation between courts and homes.
Parks and Recreation staff (represented in the meeting by Shonda Smith’s team) were referenced as available to continue work to “alleviate” noise and enforce park rules. Council members said they expect the panels and enforcement changes — including automated locks installed earlier — to reduce after-hours use and to help neighborhood quality of life.
The council did not adopt a relocation or full enclosure at the meeting; the letter’s more extensive demands (full enclosure or removal) were not acted on immediately. Council members said they would continue to work with parks staff, monitor the impact of the panels, and follow up with residents.
