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Residents tell board pickleball at Cody/Floyd parks is creating 'high impulse' noise and traffic; trustees ask staff for options
Summary
Multiple residents told the board that heavy weekday and weekend pickleball use at Cody and Floyd parks has created persistent noise, traffic and parking problems; speakers urged relocation, stricter hours or stronger noise mitigation. Trustees directed staff to review options and consider possible site changes and hour restrictions.
Whitefish Bay96At the petitions and communications segment of the June 16 meeting, three nearby residents appealed directly to the Village Board, saying recent growth of pickleball play at village parks has led to intrusive noise, crowding and traffic that has degraded residential quality of life.
Dave Batty said nets that had been installed provided limited benefit and that residents who live within roughly 200–300 feet of the courts can no longer enjoy porches: "If you live around it and you're subjected to it 12 hours a day 96 they call it a high impulse sound. It's like a gunshot, a dog constantly barking..." Batty asked the village to seek alternative locations or stronger mitigation.
Steve Kappus, who said he lives directly north of the courts, cited an article he provided to trustees that estimated four courts can register up to 2,800 paddle pops per hour and described users traveling from nearby municipalities. He urged more restrictive hours, different balls or rackets, or moving courts farther from homes.
Stephanie Batty, who coached high school tennis for eight years, said she favors racket sports but not "in my front yard 12 hours a day," describing boomboxes, traffic congestion and difficulties entering driveways during summer peak times.
Trustees did not take action during public comment but thanked the speakers. Staff were asked to collect additional information and explore options including alternative locations, hours restrictions, equipment changes and possible engineering noise controls. Trustees noted state case law and neighboring municipalities have grappled with similar issues and that any enforcement or relocation would need to conform to village ordinances and policies.
Next steps: Staff will follow up with more detailed options for potential mitigation or relocation and report back to the board as part of park and CIP conversations.
