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Residents ask West Chester Township trustees to move proposed pickleball courts away from homes
Summary
Multiple residents from Beckett Lakes and Beckett Park West told trustees they support pickleball but want courts farther from houses, citing noise, property-value and stormwater concerns; trustees said a work session and an engineering review are planned and a community survey will be distributed.
Several residents of the Beckett Lakes subdivision urged the West Chester Township Board of Trustees on Sept. 9 to relocate proposed pickleball courts at Beckett Park West farther from nearby homes.
Bill Wright, who identified himself as living at 8432 Woodreed Drive, told trustees the courts — as currently sited — “will destroy the community,” argued they could raise litter and crime and said homeowners would oppose a multi‑million‑dollar project if it were on the ballot. Sharon Peevely (8440 Waterleaf Lane) said the courts would disrupt 20 years of peace in her neighborhood and described safety concerns she associates with youth activity around nearby park amenities. Richard Wyler (4470 Spike Rush Lane) highlighted stormwater and hydrant locations along the property line and warned that insufficient noise abatement would make the development “a disaster for our community.”
Courtney Hunt, who said her family recently moved to the neighborhood, told trustees she and many neighbors would enjoy pickleball but asked the board to locate courts “farther away from our neighborhood.” Several speakers emphasized they are not categorically opposed to courts; rather they objected to the proposed proximity to houses and urged trustees to consider alternate park sites or a standalone facility.
Trustees said the board has been discussing parks and amenities for about three years and acknowledged residents’ concerns about noise and runoff. The board indicated it had hired an engineering firm and plans a work session in October to review a more detailed plan; trustees emphasized that the work session will be a staff‑level review without public comment but that a community survey will be distributed in mid‑September and the design process will include public outreach.
What happens next: trustees said the October work session will examine engineering details and sound‑mitigation options, staff will publish a community survey with a QR code in the township newsletter and on the township website, and residents will have additional opportunities to review and comment ahead of final decisions.
