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Residents urge pause on Beckett Park pickleball plan, trustees call for study and community input
Summary
At an Aug. 12 West Chester Township meeting, several neighbors urged trustees to halt design work for proposed pickleball courts and a dog park adjacent to the Mulhauser Barn splash pad, citing noise, security and parking concerns; trustees said an RFP and community survey will guide siting and mitigation.
Several residents pressed the West Chester Township Board of Trustees on Aug. 12 to halt plans for pickleball courts and a dog park next to the Mulhauser Barn splash pad, saying the proposed location could generate noise, security problems and avoidable costs.
"This plan reflects a serious lack of judgment," Randy Simmons told trustees during the second public-comment period, urging the board to “pause this project immediately” and direct administration to perform a full impact assessment, review zoning implications and consult comparable case studies. Simmons asked the board to consider setbacks and contact the Pickleball Association for guidance.
Tina Trimbach, a Beckett Lakes HOA board member, said residents are concerned about people coming through tree lines and entering private yards and noted the splash pad has been closed multiple times for safety issues. "We're not asking you to not put pickleball in there. We're just asking you to not put it up against the property line," she said.
Administration and trustees responded that no final decisions have been made. Lisa Brown, township administration, said staff had provided a high-level concept plan and issued an RFP to select a consultant to design the site. "There will be work sessions with the trustees" and a community survey through PIE to collect resident input, Brown said.
Trustees emphasized that consultant scope will include sound mitigation and site alternatives. The board’s comments repeatedly characterized the National Recreation and Park Association guidance—cited by a trustee and residents—as a recommendation, not a legal requirement. One trustee said the board had deliberately slowed the procurement process to ensure community engagement and due diligence.
Administration estimated that fully building an amenities area with courts, restrooms and parking could cost in the low millions; Brown and trustees said specific cost and siting decisions will follow the consultant’s report and the community survey.
Next steps: the township will proceed with the consultant RFP and a community survey; no final site or construction contract has been approved.
